LONG STAND-BY At 7.20 a.m. on 25th September, 1964, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that the fishery cruiser Norna was being blown ashore at Loch Shell but did not require immediate help. There was a rough sea with a strong south-westerly gale, and as the very heavy weather showed no sign of abating the life-boat The James and Margaret Boyd slipped her moorings at 9.30 to stand by the Norna.

It was high water. On shore the lifesaving apparatus team stood by in case the falling tide caused the situation to become critical. Throughout the day and the night that followed the life-boat stood by to give whatever assistance she could.

When the tide rose again the following morning the life-boat passed towlines from the Norna to two other fishery cruisers, the Minna and the Ulva, which were also standing by, and which tried unsuccessfully to tow the Norna off the rocks. With the arrival of the salvage tug Swi/i at 11 a.m. the life-boat returned to Stornoway, reaching her station at 12.40 p.m. The Norna was refloated at n p.m.

and reached Stornoway late on 27th September..