Newhaven, Sussex. At 4.16 p.m. on 9th May, 1965, the coastguard informed the coxswain that a yacht was in danger of being driven ashore in Seaford Bay.

The life-boat Kathleen Mary was launched at 4.25 in a moderate to fresh west-southwesterly breeze. The sea was moderate.

It was two hours before high water. The life-boat found the sailing boat Pila of Newhaven with a crew of two. Her outboard motor had broken down and she was unable to sail clear of the shore. She was taken in tow by the life-boat, which reached her station at 5.30 p.m..