Only flare fired A RED FLARE fired from a position about 7 nautical miles south east of Berry Head was reported to Torbay honorary secretary by the Coastguard at 0609 on Wednesday, March 12. The 52' Barnett lifeboat Princess Alexandra of Kent set out to investigate at 0625, at high water, in overcast weather with visibility of 5 nautical miles. The sea was choppy and a moderate breeze was blowing from the north.

The Coastguard answered the distress call with white rockets and put out a general call on VHP to any vessels in the immediate vicinity. A local fishing boat responded and made for the casualty's position, arriving about 6 minutes before the lifeboat, which found the casualty by using her radar.

The distressed vessel was a 28' cabincruiser, carrying a crew of two, on passage from Christchurch to Torquay.

Her position at the time of interception was 7 nautical miles south east by south of the station on a bearing of 137°. She had been drifting all night with engine failure and fired her only flare just before dawn as she did not know her exact position off shore.

One of the lifeboat's crew was put on board the cabin cruiser, a tow-rope was secured and she was brought safely back to Brixham Harbour. The lifeboat returned to her station by 0830..