Dinghy adrift in strong breeze THE HONORARY SECRETARY Of ThurSO lifeboat station saw a dinghy in difficulties in Thurso Bay with a small motor boat trying to tow her towards Scrabster but making little headway. Both boats were drifting east towards the Spur of Murkle. It was 1620 on Saturday, June 12.

With good visibility, a moderate to strong south-westerly breeze gusting to near gale force 7, a choppy sea and a flood tide, the 48' 6" Solent lifeboat The Three Sisters was launched at 1635.

She came up with the casualty, theEnterprise dinghy Spirtle with one man on board, at 1648. The Pentland Firth Yacht Club's guard boat, The Mendicant, was still in attendance but was unable to make headway in the prevailing conditions.

The Three Sisters took the dinghy in tow and escorted The Mendicant to Scrabster, where they arrived at 1740.

The lifeboat then returned to her station and was re-housed at 1800..