Southend-on-Sea, Essex. At 10.45 on the night of the 4th September, 1961, the coastguard informed the boathouse superintendent that the s.s. Markland had reported a small vessel in diffi- culties one mile east of West Shoebury buoy. The life-boat Greater London II (Civil Service No. 30) was launched at 11.5 in a gentle south-westerly breeze and a slight sea. She carried a small out- board motor boat aboard. It was an hour and a half after high water. On reaching position given the coxswain sent two of his crew away in the motor boat. They found the cabin cruiser Honolulu with her engine broken down.

There were four people and a cat on board. They were all taken on board the small boat and then transferred to the life-boat. After landing them at Clacton the life-boat returned to the position of the rescue and took the cabin cruiser in tow. She finally reached her station at 12.50..