Overdue THE RELIEF 46ft 9in WATSON LIFEBOAT Sarah Townsend Porritt, on temporary duty at Howth, slipped her moorings and put to sea at 2230 on Sunday October 15, 1978 following a report that a red flashing light and red flares had been sighted off Lambay Island and that a man who had gone fishing was overdue.

The night was fine with good visibility.

A moderate breeze was blowing from west south west and the sea was slight. Having sighted the casualty's navigation lights, the lifeboat was alongside the motor boat by 2315 and found that her outboard engine had failed. The fisherman was taken on board the lifeboat and the casualty towed back to Howth. The lifeboat returned to her station at 0020 and was remoored and ready for service ten minutes later..