Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. At 6.53 on the morning of the 16th July, 1961, the coastguard informed the honorary sec- retary that a yacht was aground near the East Barrow beacon, although no distress signals had been seen. After a review of the position it was decided to launch the life-boat to investigate, and at 7.27 the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was launched on an ebbing tide in a light westerly breeze and a slight sea. The yacht Philamelle, with four people aboard, was seen to be on her beam ends on the East Barrow sands.

She was in no immediate danger, and as there was not enough water for the life-boat to come alongside, the cox- swain decided to stand by until the yacht refloated on the next tide. About one o'clock in the afternoon the yacht did refloat, and the life-boat escorted her into the main channel. The life-boat reached her station at 2.30..