Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland - At 10.10 a.m. on 22nd March, 1969, news was received that a red flare had been sighted five miles east of Berwick pier. At 10.25 the life-boat William and Mary Durham was launched in a moderate south easterly breeze with a corresponding sea. The tide was ebbing. The lifeboat came up with the coble St.

Nicholas carrying a crew of three.

Her engines had broken down and she was drifting towards the shore.

The life-boat took the coble in tow to Burnmouth, and returned to her station at 12.45 p.m..