Sunderland, Co. Durham. At 10.30 on the morning of the 3rd December, 1961, the life-boat Edward and Isabella Irwin was launched for a routine exercise in a heavy swell. As she was leaving the harbour the coxswain saw the small motor boat Catherine May in distress about a hundred yards from Roker pier.

He immediately made for her and found that the motor boat's engine had broken down. There were three people on board the Catherine May. The life-boat took her in tow to the south dock and then put to sea again to continue her exercise..