Drifting, offshore wind THE DEPUTY LAUNCHING AUTHORITY of Macduff lifeboat station was told by HM Coastguard at 1346 on Thursday, July 15, that a small boat had suffered engine failure some two miles north west of the lifeboat station and needed help.

It was two hours before high water, the sea was slight and there was moderate visibility, but a moderate breeze was blowing from the south when, at 1405, the 48' 6" Solent lifeboat Douglas Currie left her moorings. She came up with the casualty at 1417 and took the boat in tow to Banff Harbour where the five occupants were landed. Douglas Currie then returned to her station and was remoored at 1445..