Mobile lifeline

SIR – Colin Henderson’s letter (January 15) about diagnosing vehicle problems over the phone reminded me of a similar incident.

My daughter was drifting far offshore of Edinburgh. Her engine had cut out.

Having attempted in vain to restart it, she contacted her brother-in-law, a member of the Salcombe Lifeboat crew. Under his instruction, from 500 miles away, she put her mobile to the engine – and within a few minutes he diagnosed the problem and led her through the remedy. Gerald Fox

Whipsnade, Bedfordshire