YACHT TOWED IN WITH GALE IMMINENT Exmouth, Devon. At 11.30 on the night of the 25th March, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that he had an auxiliary yacht under observation whose engine had broken down off Sidmouth beach. The owner intended sailing westwards along the coast. At 1.45 in the morning the district officer of H.M. Coastguard asked for the life-boat to be launched to this boat as a south-west gale was forecast for the area. The fife-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott, on temporary duty at the station, put out at 2.25 in a fresh southerly breeze with a rough sea.

It was low water. Soon after leaving harbour the coxswain was informed that a strong gale was imminent. The life-boat came up with the yacht Sgumain at 3.30 and informed the owner about the gale warning. The owner agreed that the life-boat should tow the yacht to Exmouth, where she arrived at 6.15..