weekend.

Two-year-old Jeffrey Lewis of Southcourt Avenue, Paget was playing outside his home when the 17-foot powerboat Smaxx sent off emergency flares at 6.45 p.m.

on Saturday.

"My son actually saw the flares go off and he called his mother,'' said Scott Lewis.

Ruth Lewis said although she had noticed the boat previously, her son drew her attention back to the vessel.

"He was looking at it,'' she said. "It's because of him...he noticed something.'' And she was soon able to hear the shouts of the crew -- who were only a few hundred yards offshore -- calling for help.

"They kept yelling. I knew something was wrong,'' said Mrs. Lewis.

Jeffrey's concerned parents quickly notified the authorities and maintained visual contact with the boat.

A spokesman for Harbour Radio said a total of three flare sighting reports were received.

" Smaxx and two people on board was disabled and in danger of grounding on the reef,'' he explained.

"The local vessel Bahama Mama attended and towed Smaxx back to their mooring at Hungry Bay.'' And the spokesman commended Bahama Mama's speedy arrival on the scene.