THE Chairman of the R.N.L.I. has sent a letter of thanks to Coxswain Alfred Pavey and the crew of the Weymouth life-boat for their part in rescuing two people from a catamaran in the Portland race on the night of 23rd/24th January 1967.

At 11.49 that night the Weymouth honorary secretary, Mr. K. H. Mooring Aldridge, received an anticipatory message from the coastguard at Wyke that red flares had been sighted off Portland Bill. He was told that enquiries were being made to discover whether naval exercises were in progress.

Five minutes later it was confirmed that the flares had been seen two miles south of the Bill. At 12.15 tne life-boat, Frank Spiller Locke, which is one of the 52-foot Barnett class, left her moorings. There was a squally west south westerly wind of force 6, and the weather was overcast. Visibility was moderate to good.

It was one hour after low water.

A message was received that the British Railways steamer Winchester would stand by until the arrival of the life-boat and that the frigate Whitby was being diverted to where the flares had been seen. The life-boat came up with thecatamaran Ranger of Essex 2 miles south of Portland Bill at i.io. Twenty minutes later she had the catamaran in tow.

Coxswain Pavey decided to round the Shambles bank rather than attempt the passage inshore of Portland race. The life-boat towed the catamaran for some three miles, but the catamaran then over-ran the tow rope, which parted.

Another tow was passed, and the boat was safely brought into Weymouth har- bour.

The rescue was witnessed by the crew of H.M.S. Whitby. At the time the catamaran was taken in tow the wind was against the tide, and the Commanding Officer of H.M.S. Whitby congratulated the coxswain on the standard of sea- manship displayed..