FINNISH STEAMER Dunbar, East Lothian. At noon on 27th May, 1964, a fisherman reported that a vessel had run ashore about three miles north of Dunbar. Twelve minutes later the life-boat Margaret put to sea.

There was a light north-easterly wind with a smooth sea and the tide was two hours flood. In thick fog the life-boat found the Finnish tramp steamer Ramfdal, laden with esparto grass, on the east end of Peflfer sands. She had a crew of 20 and wasboundfromNorth Africa for Granton.

The life-boat stood by her to wait for high water when it was hoped a tug would arrive from Leith, and during the afternoon the coastguard life-saving team from Seacliff rigged a breeches buoy to the Ramfdal. Fog prevented the tug's arrival and the life-boat made an unsuccessful attempt to pull the vessel clear.

As the tide had begun to ebb the life-boat returned to her station at 6 p.m. At i a.m.

the next morning she put off again to stand by at high tide in case her services were needed, but the Ramfdal remained fast and the life-boat returned to Dunbar six hours later. She left Dunbar for a third time at 2.55 p.m. to guide two tugs to the position. At 4 p.m. the Leith dockmaster reported that the tug Crayleith was about a mile from the Ramfdal and the Dunbar coastguard asked the life-boat to look out for her. However, the vessel refloated without help and made for Leith, so the life-boat returned to her station at 4.55, after 14 hours on duty.

The crew received a gift of money from the master of the Ramfdal..