Propeller fouled A SOFT FISHING BOAT, Lizzie, With tWO men on board was reported overdue by a fisherman at Annan on the Scottish side of the Solway Firth on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 29, 1986. The deputy launching authority at Silloth was informed and at 1610 the station's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat, Amelia Gregory-Armstrong, launched with Colin Akitt at the helm and Derek Wilson and James Blake as crew.

As the lifeboat headed north north east up the Firth towards the mouth of the Annan River, where the fishing vessel was last sighted, she encountered moderate four to eight foot seas with amoderate south-south-westerly breeze force 4. When nothing could be found at the river mouth the lifeboat began a search between Annan and Powfoot to the west.

Before long the fishing boat was spotted west of Powfoot Golf Course at anchor. A net was fouling her propeller and she was almost aground. She had earlier hit the seabed and was leaking.

Immediately the lifeboat attached a towline and moved Lizzie into deeper water to prevent any further damage to her. It was then decided to continue the tow for the three miles back to Annan.

This meant negotiating a beam sea which was very rough at times with wind (which had strengthened to force 6) over tide on a lee shore.

However, the two vessels reached the fishing boat's mooring at Annan safely and at 1738 the lifeboat set out for station which she reached thirty minutes later.

Following this service a letter of appreciation signed by the chief of operations, Cdr Bruce Cairns, was sent to Helmsman Colin Akitt and Crew Members Derek Wilson and James Blake..