Tynemouth, Northumberland. At 11.8 on the morning of the 20th of January, 1960, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a coaster had broken down and was drifting on to the rocks on which the Longstone light- house stands. A Dutch deep-sea tug was going to her assistance, and the life-boat coxswain, after considering the situation, decided to launch the life- boat Tynesider. She left at 12.26 in a strong north-westerly wind. The sea was very rough, and it was one hour before low water. Visibility was mod- erate. At one o'clock the life-boat mechanic heard on the radio the tug Titan passing a message to the casualty, which was the motor vessel Oakdene of Sunderland, that she was within sight of her. Twenty minutes later the tug had the Oakdene in tow and the life-boat was recalled. The seas were extremely steep, some being about fifteen feet high, and the coxswain decided to stream the drogue for the return passage.

While the drogue was being recovered near the Head Sand buoy in the River Tyne a small rowing boat was seen in difficulties in the heavy swell. The man aboard her was very pleased to accept a tow up river away from the dangerous position he was in, and the life-boat reached her station at 2.35. Rewards to the crew, £12 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 10s..