Southend-on-Sea, Essex. At 12.56 on the afternoon of the 8th August, 1961, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a small yacht was in trouble off Canvey Island. At 1.24 on the ebbing tide the life-boat Greater London II (Civil Service No. 30) was launched. There was a strong south- westerly gale blowing with a rough sea when the life-boat made for the position given. As word was received that the yacht was no longer in danger, the life- boat was recalled to her station, which she reached at two o'clock. The life- boat could not be rehoused because of the weather, and at 2.35 a message was received that a vessel appeared to be in difficulties abreast of no. 6 Medway buoy. The life-boat made for the buoy and came up with the motor barge Knox, whose engine had broken down and whose anchor was dragging. The life-boat took the barge in tow towards Sheerness.

A further message was then received through the coastguard that the owners of the barge were sending their own tug to take over the tow. The tug Snatchit met the life-boat half way up the Med- way river, where the barge was handed over. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at three o'clock. The sea was still very rough, and it was not until 8.15 that the life-boat could be rehoused..