The Royal Air Force Launch 1659
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 helicopter, the life-boat found the Royal Air Force launch1659 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..