Fire on the water THE GARDAI telephoned Howth honorary secretary at 2325 on Monday, June 9, to say a patrol car at Malahide had reported what appeared to be something burning at sea off the High Rock between Portmarnock and Malahide.

The honorary secretary looked out in that direction but saw nothing unusual.

It was a flat calm night and he telephoned Motor Mechanic F. Hendy, who said that a net fishing boat was sometimes in the vicinity at night.

The honorary secretary telephoned the Gardai again to report and while they were speaking the Malahide patrol car confirmed the fire and the request to investigate. The maroons were fired at 2347 and the 47' Watson lifeboat A.M.T. slipped her moorings at seven minutes past midnight. When she arrived in the area the Gardai patrol car flashing light showed the position, but there was no sign of anything which might have caused the fire.

After a thorough search for an hour and a half the honorary secretary instructed Coxswain G. McLoughlin to return. The lifeboat was back on station at 0220..