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A Dinghy, Corsair, a Rowing Boat and the Folk Boat Alba

No. 3 Life-boat Area (North East England) BRIDLINGTON'S BUSY DAY ON 12th July the Bridlington, Yorkshire, life-boat William Henry and Mary King—she is a 37-foot Oakley—and the local inshore rescue boat had a busy day.

First of all a small dinghy was reported in trouble and the IRB went out at 12.4 p.m. in a fresh west south westerly wind with a choppy sea. At the same time the William Henry and Mary King was launched and conducted a box search in conjunction with the IRB and a helicopter.

At 12.17 the IRB found fittings from the missing dinghy. The passenger vessel Yorkshire Belle reported that she had picked up one of the four men aboard the dinghy. Two others were rescued by a speed boat.

Then, at 12.34, the life-boat came up with the fishing boat Corsair whose engine had failed.

She had three men aboard. The life-boat took her in tow and the search was resumed. Finally, at 1.30, the helicopter directed the life-boat to the missing dinghy. She was submerged about ten feet below water. The dinghy was recovered by means of a grapnel line and taken aboard the life-boat.

At 2.50 p.m., in response to a further report, the IRB went to the aid of a hired rowing boat which was being blown out to sea. The rowing boat was towed in.

A few minutes later both the life-boat and the IRB were directed to a man who was adrift on a lilo to the seaward of the north pier. The man,however, declined assistance but both boats stood by until he reached the beach safely.

To round off the day's calls the life-boat was asked at 3.5 to search for the folk boat Alba with three people aboard which was overdue at Bridlington. Forty minutes later a helicopter, which was also searching, reported the Alba four miles south east of Bridlington. Half an hour later the life-boat reached her. She was attempting to beat to windward using her jib only. A tow brought her safely to the harbour entrance..