LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY AT HARBOUR BAR Whitby, Yorkshire. At 7.45 on the evening of the 2nd March, 1962, the coxswain was in radio communication from his own boat with three local motor fishing vessels, which were at sea in deteriorating weather conditions.

The motor fishing vessel Lead Us reported that on attempting to run for harbour she had shipped heavy seas and had been forced to turn away to seaward to wait until there was more water on the bar. Another motor fishing vessel, the Golden Hope, was advised by the coxswain to put into Hartlepool. The Lead Us and a third fishing vessel, Success, were larger craft, and their skippers decided to enter Whitby harbour. The life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at eight o'clock to stand by. It was an hour after low water. There was a strong north-north-easterly wind, and the sea was rough. The life-boat stood by until both vessels were safely in harbour and then returned to her station, which she reached at 9.45..