Hastings, Sussex. At 4.7 p.m. on 3151 July, 1965, the coastguard reported that a dinghy, in company with a cabin cruiser, was flying a distress signal and firing flares. The life-boat Fairlight was launched at 4.20 in a moderate west-south-westerly breeze and slight sea. It was high water.

The life-boat found the dinghy towing the cabin cruiser Paddy B which had engine trouble. This tow had been going on since 2 p.m. The life-boat took over the towing of the Paddy B, which had five occupants on board, and she returned to her station at 5.25 p.m..