Stronsay, Orkneys. At 12.5 early on the morning of the 14th of Decem- ber, 1959, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that red flares were being fired from a vessel near Fersness Point, Isle of Eday. The life-boat The John Gellatly Hyndman put out at 12.28 in a moderate to rough sea. A strong southerly wind was blowing, and it was two hours after high water. The life-boat found the motor fishing vessel Amber Queen of Kirkwall, with a crew of three, a quarter of a mile off the Point of Scaraber, Island of Fara.

Her engine had broken down and having lost her anchor she was drifting on to the rocks. The life-boat took her in tow into Fersness Bay for shelter, where a better tow rope was rigged, and then continued towing her to Stronsay harbour. The wind increased to gale force, and off Spurness Point the tow rope parted. It was reconnected, and the two boats reached Stronsay at 5.5.

After mooring the Amber Queen the life-boat returned to her own moorings at 6.20. Rewards to the crew, £16 5s. ; reward to the helper on shore, 12s..