DUTCH TRAWLER Walmer, Kent. At 8.44 a.m. on 5th January, 1965, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the East Goodwin lightvessel reported an unidentified vessel, apparently aground on the Goodwin Sands, in a position west north west two miles from the lightvessel, and would report again as visibility was improving. After a further message had been received from the lightvessel that the vessel was high and dry, the life-boat Charles Dibdin (Civil Service No. 32) was launched at 9.1. There was a moderate westerly breeze and a smooth sea, it was four hours before high water. An air-sea rescue helicopter later identified the vessel as the Dutch trawler Marian Ellen.

At 10.5 the life-boat arrived but the water was still very shallow, and she manoeuvred alongside the trawler. Two members of the life-boat crew were put aboard the Marian Ellen to try and help refloat her. After running out a kedge anchor into deeper water the trawler was refloated at 11.30. The two men returned to the life-boat which then returned to her station at 1.45 p.m..