Whitby, Yorkshire. At 2.15 on the afternoon of the 6th of January, 1961, the coxswain told the honorary secretary that in his opinion the rapidly deterior- ating weather conditions would make it dangerous for the returning fishing fleet as they crossed the bar. He had just returned from fishing in his own boat in company with the motor fishing vessel Wakeful and reported that there were eight fishing boats still at sea.

There was a north-north-easteily wind of near gale force with a rough sea, and the tide was about half-ebb. At 2.25 the life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched. She stood by until all the fishing boats had entered harbour.

During this time visibility was almost nil at times because of heavy hail squalls. The life-boat returned to her station at 3.45..