Crowded hour THE OUTBOARD ENGINE of an inflatable dinghy broke down just as she was clearing Shoreham Harbour eastern breakwater on the afternoon of Sunday, August 1. A message came from HM Coastguard at 1521, saying that the dinghy, with two people on board, was drifting behind the breakwater and, in danger of being blown ashore, needed help. The wind was from the south west, strong force 6. One minute later, Shoreham Harbour ILB was on her way. She was soon alongside the dinghy and took her in tow to Kingston beach.

While returning to her station, the ILB heard that a dinghy had capsizedwest of the western breakwater. Altering course, she found the dinghy drifting some 15 yards from the breakwater and, going alongside, eventually managed to take her in tow to Kingston beach, where her crew of two were landed.

On the return passage, a small child was seen to fall from a yacht. The ILB picked her up and landed her at the boathouse. Before the ILB could be rehoused, however, yet another message was received, saying that a dinghy had capsized within the eastern arm of the harbour. Again the ILB set out and, after some difficulty, was able to right the dinghy and tow her to Kingston beach where her crew of two were also landed.

The ILB then returned to her station and was rehoused at 1620..