Drifting on ebb tide WHILE AT SEA on exercise at 1115 on Sunday, April 4, St Catherines ILB received a message by radio from the Sea Rescue Centre, St Helier, to say that a small motorboat had broken down one mile east of the ILB station; she was drifting seawards on the ebb tide.

There was a moderate north-westerly breeze. Visibility was good and the sea choppy when the ILB changed course towards the casualty, the 16' motorboat Helena, with four people on board. On arrival at the scene, the ILB took Helena in tow to the shore and then returned to her station. She was rehoused at 1220..