About 11.30 P.M. on the 18th January, the Coxswain of the Life-boat was informed by the Coastguard that a telephone message had been received reporting a vessel ashore at Scotston Head.

The crew were at once summoned and the Life-boat George Pickard was launched. She proceeded to the vessel, which proved to be the steam trawler Strathbeg, of Aberdeen, bound from the fishing grounds to Aberdeen. An offer was made to take the crew off, but they declined as efforts were being made to float the trawler. The Life- boat then stood by the vessel until they got her clear, and her services being no longer required, she made for Peterhead.

The weather was very cold and thick with a strong S.S.W. breeze and rough sea..