Adrift on ebb tide TWO SAILING DINGHIES capsized off Crail Harbour were reported to the honorary secretary of Anstruther lifeboat station by HM Coastguard at 1524 on Saturday, May 8. A local rescue boat had been asked to go out and the call was a forewarning. The lifeboat crew were alerted, but at 1530 the emergency was cancelled and the crew stood down.

At 1605 the Coastguard telephoned again, requesting the launch of the lifeboat as the rescue boat had broken down and one of the dinghies was stilladrift and being swept north-eastwards on the ebb tide.

It was cloudy with good visibility, a moderate to fresh south-westerly breeze was blowing and the sea was choppy when, at 1632, the 37' Oakley lifeboat The Doctors was launched. She set off at full speed as the casualty was by now heading for The Brigs.

At 1714 the lifeboat came up with the casualty, a Mirror dinghy with two people on board. Both people and boat were taken on board the lifeboat, which returned to her moorings at 1830. She was re-housed at 2028..