Lowestoft, Suffolk. At 1.1 early on the morning of the 1st of November, 1960, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a small boat was burning red flares about half-a-mile south-south-west of Lowestoft harbour.

It was a clear night with a fresh south- easterly wind and a rough sea. At 1.26 the life-boat Michael Stephens was launched on the ebb tide. On reaching the position given the life-boat found the Maggie Jane, which had a crew of three. Her engine could not be started and she was dragging her anchors. The life-boat took her in tow to Lowestoft harbour..