YACHT TOWED TO SAFETY AT 4.45 p.m. on 20th November, 1971, information was received that the yacht Solstice was firing red flares in a position four miles west of Les Hanois light, Guernsey, C.I. Fifteen minutes later the St. Peter Port life-boat, The Princess Royal (Civil Service ,\o. 7"), a 46-foot Watson type, on temporary duty at the station, was launched.

The wind was south south west, force 7, with a very rough sea and heavy swell. After a passage of 16 miles to the south of Guernsey, the casualty was found at 7.37 p.m. five miles north west of Les Hanois light. The Solstice was hove-to under deeply reefed mainsail and storm jib, rolling and pitching heavily, with her engine broken down. A French trawler, the Mimi et Charlotte, was standing by but found it impossible to pass a tow line.

The yacht crew, being caught on a lee shorewith the forecast shift of wind to the north west, were prompted to fire flares. By then the wind was west south west, force 9, gusting 10, with a very rough sea and a very heavy swell.

The weather was overcast and squally with poor visibility.

Coxswain John H. Petit, aboard the life-boat, wasted no time in passing a tow line to the yacht and set course for St. Peter Port via the north passage in an endeavour to find a lee.

The life-boat, with the Solstice in tow, reached her station at 10.50 p.m.

For this arduous service Coxswain Petit has received the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum, and framed letters of appreciation have been sent to Acting 2nd Coxswain John W. Le Page, Motor Mechanic Eric C. Pattimore, Assistant Mechanic Robert L. Vowles, Acting Bowman A. W. Ogier, and Crew Reuben Martel, Lloyd de Mouilpied and John H.

Robilliard..