SICK BOY TAKEN OFF ISLAND Donaghadee, Co. Down. At 9.45 on the evening of the 20th April, 1963, the life-boat motor mechanic informed the coastguard that he could see a fire on Copeland Island, where he knew about eight people were spending a week-end.

At 9.55 the coastguard stated that a flashing light on the island appeared to be an SOS signal, and in the absence of the honorary secretary the coxswain decided to launch the life-boat. There was a near gale from the south-east with a rough sea. The life-boat Sir Samuel Kelly put out at 10.20 on an ebbing tide with the boarding boat in tow. The boarding boat with a landing party went ashore, where they were informed that a deaf and dumb boy of sixteen was ill and could not walk. The honorary secretary contacted a doctor, and at 1.20 the life-boat returned to Donaghadee.

She embarked the doctor and brought him to the island. At 3.10 the life-boat returned to Donaghadee with the doctor and the sick boy. The honorary secretary had meanwhile arranged for the boy's father to be at the pier with a car.

The life-boat arrived back at her station at 3.27..