At 10.26 a.m. on 26th February, 1965, the coxswain was informed that conditions on the harbour bar were becoming very dangerous and that six local fishing boats were still at sea. The life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at 10.30 in a northerly wind of near gale force and a rough sea. The tide was flooding. The life-boat waited at the harbour bar and escorted five of the fishing vessels across the bar. The sixth vessel the Success was reported to be riding out the bad weather at her fishing grounds 40 miles north east of Whitby and the life-boat returned to her station at 3.5. During the evening a radio message was passed to the coxswain that the Success intended to make for harbour and would arrive about 10 o'clock. The life-boat was launched again at 10.5 and took up a position at the harbour bar. The Success arrived at 10.50 and she was escorted safely across the harbour bar. The life-boat returned to her station at 11.15..