Near rocks A CREW MEMBER from a small fishing vessel which, on Friday night, August 19, had broken down just south of Longhaven, rowed ashore, managed to scramble up the cliffs and made a 999 call to RHQ Peterhead; it was 2225. His skipper was still aboard the boat, Zenith, which was anchored; they feared, however, that she might go on the rocks and there was too much sea and swell for a local boat to help.

While the Coastguard mobile picked up the crew member and took him back to the cliffs, a message was sent to the honorary secretary of Peterhead lifeboat station that a boat was stranded in the vicinity of Boddam, and Cruden Bay Rescue Company were mustered. The wind was north by east force 2 with a moderate sea. The tide was ebbing.

Peterhead's 48' 6" Solent lifeboat James and Mariska Joicey launched at 2240, reached Zenith at 2305, manoeuvring in under the cliff, and began the tow at 2325. Lifeboat and tow were berthed in harbour at 0010..