DECEMBER No. 2 Life-boat Area Port St. Mary, Isle of Man - At 1.30 p.m. on 19th December, 1969, the coastguard told the honorary sec- retary that a catamaran was showing distress signals about eight miles south of Chickens Rock lighthouse.

The life-boat R. A. Colby Cubbin No. 2 slipped her moorings at 2 o'clock in a south westerly gale with a very rough sea. It was one hour before low water. She came up with the catamaran Hoku-Paa with five men and three women aboard at 3.30. The craft was unmanage- able with sails torn and motor swamped. The life-boat took her in tow to Port St. Mary, returning to her moorings at 7.45.

No. 3 Life-boat Area Tynemouth, Northumberland - At five o'clock in the morning on 21st December, 1969, the coastguard reported that the motor fishing vessel Progress, with two men aboard, had been drifting all night off the harbour. The life-boat Tynesider was launched at 5.30 in a southerly gale force wind with a slight sea. It was two and a quarter hours after high water. At 6.40 the life-boat came up with the Progress, with a crew of two, anchored east of Blyth piers, and took her in tow to a safe mooring at North Shields. The life-boat returned to her station at 9.30.

No. 5 Life-boat Area Margate, Kent - At 4.27 p.m. on 7th December, 1969, it was learnt that the 50 ft. ketch yacht Aquila, on passage from Newhaven to London with a crew of four, had fired red flares. She had ripped her mainsail in a sudden squall and had gone aground on the South Shingle sands about eight and three quarter miles north west of Margate harbour.

Ships in her vicinity were standing by. The life-boat North Foreland (Civil Service No. 11) was launched at 5 o'clock in a moderate west by southerly wind with a rough sea. It was one hour after low water. The German ship Haslach reported that she had sent six men in her ship's life-boat to the Aquila. At 6.25 p.m.

the life-boat came up with the yacht and pulled her off the sandbank. At 7.15, as weather conditions were worsening, she took the yacht and the ship's life-boat in tow to the Haslach and then continued her tow of the Aquila with her crew back to Margate harbour. They were landed safely and cared for by the wife of the life-boat's motor mechanic. The life-boat returned to her station at 11.15.

No. 6 Life-boat Area The Lizard-Cadgwith, Cornwall - At 8.30 a.m. on 4th December, 1969, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a yacht had broken down about 16 miles south south east of the Lizard and had been calling for assistance since the early hours through Land's End radio. All efforts to obtain help from the PortTHE LIFE-BOAT FLEET (as at 28/2/70) 134 station life-boats 35 inshore rescue boats 1 70-foot steel life-boat on operational trials 1 40-ioot G.R.P. life-boat on evaluation trials 2 inshore rescue boats (17-foot Dell Quay Dory) LIVES RESCUED 91,798 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to 28th February, 1970 of Falmouth and other centres had not been successful and the honorary secretary told the coastguard that the life-boat The Duke of Cornwall (Civil Service No. 33) would launch at 9.30 if further efforts to obtain help were unsuccessful. The coast- guard were asked to inform the casualty, which had not fired any distress flares, of this decision. There was a light north westerly wind and a choppy sea. It was three hours before high water. In poor visibility with the help of a Royal Naval helicopter from Culdrose, the life- boat found the motor fishing vessel Mike and Pat 18 miles south of the Lizard. Her fuel injection system had completely broken down,|and because of adverse weather reports it was decided to tow her to Falmouth.

The Mike and Pat was safely berthed at 4 p.m., and the life-boat reached her station at 8.30.

No. 7 Life-boat Area Poole, Dorset - At 12.50 p.m. on 6th December, 1969, the life-boat mechanic received a report from the coastguard that the German training ship Ruhr had asked for help in landing a seriously ill man. A rendezvous was arranged five miles south of Bournemouth pier. The life- boat George Elmy, on temporary duty at the station, slipped her moorings at 1 o'clock in a fresh north easterly wind with a choppy sea. It was ebb tide. At 1.45 p.m.

the life-boat came up with the Ruhr and embarked the sick man with the ship's doctor and landed them at the pier. The life-boat took the doctor back to his ship, and returned to her station at 6 o'clock.

No. 8 Life-boat Area Holyhead, Anglesey - At 1.6 p.m.

on 6th December, 1969, the coast- guard told the coxswain of the life- boat that a catamaran appeared to be adrift and in difficulties north of Skerries. Eventually the life-boat St. Cybi (Civil Service No. 9) was launched at 1.30 in a gale force northerly wind with a very rough sea.

It was three-quarters of an hour after low water. At 2.3 she came up with the catamaran Hoku Paa with seven people on board about four miles west of Skerries. Her engine had broken down and she was sailing under a storm jib. The life-boat escorted her to the outer harbour and then took her in tow to the inner harbour, returning to her station at 3.45.

No. 10 Life-boat Area Dunmore East, Co. Waterfori-At 11.20 p.m. on 6th December, 1969, the honorary secretary was told that flares had been sighted off Brownsford head. The life-boat Annie Blanche Smith slipped her moorings at 11.45. There was a south by westerly breeze with a slight sea, and the tide was ebbing. She came up with the fishing boat Kerwick at 12.15 a.m., her skipper and engineer being on board. Seven other crewmen had gone on a raft to the foot of the cliff.

The fishing boat was leaking so badly that an attempt to tow her would have been impracticable. Her LAUNCHES AND LIVES SAVED BY LIFE-BOATS AND IRBs 1st December 1969 to 28th February, 1970: Launches 230, live* saved 91skipper and engineer were therefore taken aboard the life-boat. The honorary secretary organised a cliff rescue party to rescue the seven crewmen, and the life-boat with the skipper and engineer on board returned to harbour. The life-boat reached her station at 2.30 a.m.

Ballycotton, Co. Cork - At 9 a.m.

on 18th December, 1969, a radio distress signal was picked up by the life-boat mechanic that the motor fishing vessel Beal Abha was in difficulties nine miles south east of Ballycotton lighthouse. The life-boat Ethel Mary slipped her moorings at 9.15 in a fresh north westerly wind with a moderate sea. It was one hour after low water. The life-boat came up with the Beal Abha at 10.20.

There were three people on board. A fishing net had fouled her propeller.

The life-boat took her in tow to Youghal, and returned to her station at 4.30 p.m.

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin - At 11.15 a.m. on 7th December, 1969, a report was received that a motor boat with engine trouble had anchored to the north west of the harbour entrance. At 11.30 the boat was seen to fire a distress flare. The life-boat John F. Kennedy slipped her moorings at 11.50 in a gale force westerly wind with a slight sea. It was low water. She came up with the converted ship's life-boat Blue Peter at 11.56. The crew of three were transferred to the life-boat, and the boat taken in tow to Dun Laoghaire. The life-boat returned to her station at 12.40 p.m.

IRB LAUNCHES Rescues by IRB in December were carried out by the following stations: No. 6 Life-boat Area Newquay, Cornwall - At 12.44 p.m.

on 13th December, 1969, the coast- guard reported that a fishing vesselhad fired red flares about five miles north of Newquay harbour. The IRB was launched at 12.50. It was three hours after high water. She came up with the local motor fishing vessel Boy Steve with a crew of five. Her trawl had fouled her propeller. The IRB reported that as the weather was clear and sunny, she was able to effect the tow with ease. She took the Boy Steve into harbour, and returned to her station at 2.13.

No. 8 Life-boat Area Morecambe, Lancashire - At 10.10 a.m. on 6th December, 1969, the police informed the honorary sec- retary that a man was on board a drifting boat two and a half miles east of the station. The IRB was launched at 10.15 in a calm sea. It was one hour after high water. The IRB came up with the boat and the man, who was suffering from ex- posure, was taken aboard. The IRB with the dinghy in tow returned to harbour where an ambulance was waiting to take the sick man to hospital. The IRB returned to her station at 11.20.

JANUARY No. 6 Life-boat Area Weymonth, Dorset-At 6.16 p.m.

on 4th January, 1970, the coast- guard reported that a distress signal had been sighted about five miles east north east of Portland Bill. The life-boat Frank Spiller Locke slipped her moorings at 6.31 in a slight north easterly breeze with a cor- responding sea. It was low water.

The life-boat came up with the yacht Dib II. Her auxiliary engine had failed and her sails had jammed.

There were two men on board. The yacht was taken in tow to Weymouth, and the life-boat returned to her station at 9.45.

198 No. 8 Life-boat Area Holyhead, Anglesey-At 7.16 p.m.

on 26th January, 1970, red flares were reported about five miles south west of the South Stack lighthouse.

The life-boat St. Cybi (Civil Service No. 9) was launched in a light north westerly wind with a slight sea. The tide was ebbing. Assisted by a heli- copter, the life-boat found the Royal Air Force launch 7559 at 9.13. The launch had earlier rescued the crew of a manned balloon which had landed in the sea, but her engines had subsequently failed. The life-boat took her in tow, with seven people on board, to Holyhead, and returned to her station at 12.28 a.m. on 27th January.

No. 10 Life-boat Area Arranmore, Co. Donegal - At 1.30 a.m. on 31st January, 1970, the life-boat coxswain had a request from Owey island for the use of the life-boat to take a young man, who was seriously ill with suspected meningitis, to the mainland. There was no doctor or nurse on the island and any boats available were un- suitable for the crossing in the prevailing weather conditions. The life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson, on temporary duties at the station, slipped her moorings at 2.45 in a south easterly gale force wind with a rough sea. It was two hours after low water. She went to Owey island and embarked the sick man at 3.30 and set off with him to Kin- casslagh on the mainland. He was landed, and an ambulance took him to hospital, thereby saving his life.

The life-boat returned to her moor- ings at 6 o'clock.

FEBRUARY No. 3 Life-boat Area Humber, Yorkshire - At 4.8 a.m.

on 16th February, 1970, the coast- guard reported that red flares had been sighted in the Haile Sand Fort area. The life-boat City of Bradford HI was launched at 4.21 in a fresh north westerly wind with a rough sea. It was two hours after high water. At 5 a.m. the life-boat came up with the converted ship's life- boat Bluebird II with three people on board. She was dragging her anchor and was in danger of going ashore. Her engine had failed. A line was secured and she was taken in tow to Grimsby. The life-boat re- turned to her station at 12.35 p.m.

This service was carried out in extremely cold weather. On arrival at Grimsby the life-boat carried a J in. wide coating of ice on mast, stays, and superstructure, while the fuel oil had frozen solid in the tank of the Bluebird II.

Whitby, Yorkshire - At 2.46 p.m.

on 9th February, 1970, it was learnt that four children were cut off by the tide between Sandsend Ness and Keldersteel point. The life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at 3 o'clock in a fresh westerly wind with a slight sea. The tide was flooding. At 3.20 the life-boat stood off at the foot of the cliffs.

The children were in a position inaccessible to a rescue party on the cliff top. A small boat, which had been towed by the life-boat, went ashore and took off two child- ren at a time and transferred them to the life-boat. They were landed at Whitby, and the life-boat re- turned to her station at 4.10. A donation was made to the Institu- tion's funds and a gift to the crew.

No. 4 Life-boat Area Walton and Frinton, Essex - At 3.5 p.m. on 8th February, 1970, it was learnt that a man was clinging to a capsized canoe and drifting off shore in a northerly direction.

The life-boat Edian Courtauld slipped her moorings at 3.10 in a fresh westerly wind with a moderatesea. It was one hour after high water. She came up with the man a quarter of a mile off the pier head some nine minutes later and took him aboard. He was given first aid and landed at the breakwater. The canoe was recovered later, and the life-boat returned to her moorings at 4.53.

No. 5 Life-boat Area Life-boat O.N.803 at Sheerness - At 3.40 p.m. on 22nd February, 1970, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a dinghy had capsized near Minster wartime defence boom.

The life-boati Canadian Pacific slip- ped her moor ngs four minutes later in a fresh south westerly wind and a moderate sea. It was one and a half hours after high water. Shortly afterwards a second dinghy was re- ported overturned in the same area.

One of the dinghies was sighted waterlogged about two miles east of the boom. She was the Pioneer and her sole crew member was rescued suffering from exposure. He was given dry clothing and blankets. A search was then made for the second boat and at 4.54 she was recovered about three miles east of Garrison point. Although a long and exten- sive search was made, in which a helicopter from Thorney Island took part in reducing visibility and a heavy rainstorm, the crew of the second dinghy were not found. The life- boat returned to her station at 7.40.

At 9.46 p.m. on 1st February, 1970, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a 16 foot motor boat with a 16-year-old boy on board was missing from Strand, Gillingham. The life-boat Canadian Pacific slipped her moorings at 10.3 in a moderate south westerly wind and a slight sea. It was two hours after high water. The life-boat car- ried out an extensive search and at 12.6 a.m. a boat answering the 200 description of the missing boat was sighted well inside the entrance of West Hoo Creek with her engine broken down. The life-boat went in as close as possible and a rubber dinghy was then launched from her with two members of the life-boat's crew aboard. The boy was rescued and put aboard the life-boat. He was landed at Gillingham at 1.54, and the life-boat returned to her station at 2.22.

No. 6 Life-boat Area Plymouth, South Devon - At 5.10 p.m. on 25th February, 1970, a report was received from the coast- guard that a dinghy was drifting seaward four miles south of Down- derry. The life-boat Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse slipped her moor- ings at 5.30 in a fresh north westerly wind with a moderate sea. It was two hours after low water. At 6.35 she came up with a fibreglass dinghy, well down in the water, with the sole crew member baling out. The man and his craft were taken aboard the life-boat and put ashore at Looe. The life-boat left Looe at 7.50, and returned to her moorings at 9.45.

St. Mary's, Scilly Islands - On 21st February, 1970, the life-boat Guy and Clare Hunter was launched and rescued the crew of ten of the Swedish motor vessel Nordanhar. A full account of the service will appear in the next number of THE LIFE- BOAT.

No. 7 Life-boat Area Barry Dock, Glamorganshire - At 6.24 a.m. on 12th February, 1970, the coastguard reported that a distress signal had been sighted south west of Breaksea point. The life-boat Arthur and Blanche Harris slipped her moorings at 6.50. There was a south westerly gale with a rough sea. It was low water. The life-boat came up with the cabin cruiser Faith with one man on board three and a half miles west of Breaksea point. The man was taken aboard the life-boat and the cabin cruiser, which was a total loss, was abandoned. The injured man was landed at Barry where arrange- ments were made to take him to hospital. The life-boat returned to her moorings at 12 o'clock.

No. 10 Life-boat Area Valentia, Co. Kerry - On 20th February, 1970, the life-boat Row- land Watts slipped her moorings to go to the help of the M.V. Oranmore.

A full account of this service will appear in the next number of THE LIFE-BOAT.

Arranmore, Co. Donegal - At 6.30 p.m. on 2nd February, 1970, the local doctor told the honorary secretary that a man on Innisbofin island was seriously ill and required hospital treatment on the mainland.

The life-boat Mabel Marion Thomp- son, on temporary duty at the station, slipped her moorings at 7.15 in a storm force north westerly wind with a very rough sea. It was two hours before low water. The life- boat reached Innisbofin at 11.30 but the high seas made it impossible to embark the sick man. She made passage to the lee of the island and dropped anchor. Continuing high winds delayed the embarkation of the patient until 5 p.m. on the fol- lowing day. He was landed at Burtonport suffering from acute appendicitis. The life-boat returned to her station at 11 p.m. A letter of thanks was received from the local parish priest, and because this lengthy service was carried out in very severe weather conditions additional monetary awards were made to the life-boat crew.

IRB LAUNCHES Rescues by IRBs in February were carried out by the following stations: No. 2 Life-boat Area Port St. Mary, Isle of Man - At 2.23 p.m. on 13th February, 1970, the coastguard reported that a youth had fallen over the cliffs between Port Grenaugh and Port Soderick.

The IRB was launched at 3 o'clock.

It was three hours after low water.

The youth, who was suffering from head injuries, was taken aboard the IRB and landed at the jetty at Port Soderick where an ambulance was waiting to take him to hospital.

The IRB returned to her station at 5 o'clock.

No. 5 Life-boat Area Eastney, Hampshire - At 9.15 a.m.

on 1st February, 1970, the coast- guard informed the honorary secre-tary that a motor launch, with one man aboard, was drifting out of the harbour. The IRB was launched at 9.25 in a gusting south easterly gale force wind with a moderate swell.

It was three hours after high water.

She came up with the launch about 900 yards north west of the IRB station and passed a tow. She beached the motor launch and landed the man at Ferry Point, returning to her station at 9.50.

Eastney, Hampshire - On 22nd February, 1970, the IRB was launched and rescued three people marooned off Southsea beach. A full account of this service will appear in the next number of THE LIFE-BOAT.

Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent - At 12.56 p.m. on 8th February, 1970, the honorary secretary informed the coastguard that a red flare had been fired by a small boat about one and a half miles east by north of the station. The IRB had already been launched at 12.6 and was at sea on exercise in a fresh westerly wind with a slight sea. It was half an hour before high water. The coastguard asked the IRB to go to the boat, and she came up with a speedboat with a crew of two aboard. The speedboat's engine had failed. The IRB took her in tow to the slipway at 1.45, and then resumed her exercise.

No. 8 Life-boat Area West Kirby, Cheshire - At 12.26 p.m. on 7th February, 1970, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that two men and a dog were cut off by the tide on Burton Marshes. At 12.37 the IRB was launched in a strong, gusting to gale force westerly wind with a heavy swell. It was high water.

The men, with the sea up to their chests, were found and with the dog were taken on board the IRB.

They were landed at Parkgate where an ambulance was waiting to take them to hospital. The IRB returned to her station at 2 o'clock.

PLYMOUTH This service took place last year: No. 6 Life-boat Area Plymouth, South Devon - At 7.37 a.m.

on 29th July, 1969, the coastguard reported that a dismasted yacht was burning red flares and drifting rapidly about one mile south south west of the Eddystone lighthouse. The life- boat Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse slipped her moorings at 7.50 in a gale force north north westerly wind with a rough sea. It was one hour after high water. At 9.52 she came up with the 55-foot auxiliary schooner Morwenna of Shoreham, with six people on board, including two children, about three and a half miles south south east of the light- house. The life-boat went alongside the schooner whose main mast was lying over her starboard quarter and hampering rescue operations. With the assistance of the motor vessel Ben Arkle which was trying to make a lee, an attempt was made to lift the schooner's mast back on board her with a line from the motor vessel, but this was unsuccessful. Six people were taken aboard the life-boat. As towing the casualty would have been difficult because of the overhanging mast the coxswain put two men aboard the Morwenna to attend the tow line.

At 10.25 the life-boat started to tow the Morwenna, making slow progress in very bad weather conditions. An anchorage at Cremyll was reached by 4.15 p.m. The life-boat returned to her moorings at 5.20. A letter of appreciation was sent to the cox- swain and crew from the Secretary of the Institution together with an additional monetary award to each man..