Aith, Shetlands. At 3.10 p.m. on 5th October, 1964, a local doctor told the honorary secretary that a patient on Foula was seriously ill and needed urgent hospital treatment. At 3.35, when the doctor boarded the life-boat, the John and Frances Macfarlane slipped her moorings.

It was two hours past high water with a south-westerly breeze and thick fog. At 9.20 the life-boat reached Foula.

The sea was choppy and visibility was nil.

The coxswain therefore decided to lie offshore to await better weather but at 7.20 a.m. the life-boat entered Ham Voe still in dense fog. At 8.45 the doctor returned with the patient who was put aboard the life-boat, which then left for Aith. Conditions were improving and at 12.20 p.m. the life-boat was moored at her station. The patient was taken by ambulance to Lerwick hospital..