Longhope, Orkneys. At 4.40 on the afternoon of the 1st of November, 1960, the honorary secretary was informed that transport was needed to take a patient suffering from pleurisy from the island of Hoy to hospital at Kirkwall.

An easterly gale was blowing with a very rough sea. As no other suitable boat was available, the life-boat Thomas McCunn was launched at five o'clock with the patient on board. It was flood tide, and the wind increased rapidly to storm force. The patient was landed safely at Houton pier and taken to hospital. The life-boat returned to her station at 7.45, but because of the weather was secured at Longhope pier and rehoused the following morning..