Margate, Kent. At 1.52 on the after- noon of the 17th of May, 1959, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a yacht was ashore on Hook Sands. On reaching the life- boathouse the coxswain saw three other boats which also appeared to be in difficulties. At 2.2 the life-boat North Foreland (Civil Service No. 11) was launched in a strong north-easterly wind and a rough sea. It was low water.

The life-boat went first to the motor barge Persevere, which had engine trouble and was lying broadside on to the sea off Westgate. She had a small sail rigged and did not require immedi- ate help. The life-boat then made for a yacht ashore on Hook Sands, escorting on the way two small sailing dinghies clear of Margate sands. The yacht Eloise, with a crew of two, was found on Hook Sands, and the coxswain manoeuvred the life-boat to within fifty feet of her. He used his loud hailer to give advice to her crew while the yacht was being refloated. After escorting the yacht clear of the sands the life-boat returned to the barge Persevere, which was then off Birchington. Her master informed the coxswain that his engine was working only intermittently, and the life-boat escorted the barge to Herne Bay. She reached her station at six o'clock, but because of the severe weather conditions she could not be rehoused at once and was moored alongside the quay. Rewards to the crew, £12 12s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 4s..