Weymouth, Dorset. At 2.45 a.m. on lyth October, 1965, the coastguard reported that cries for help had been heard near Ringstead beach, four miles east of Weymouth. The life-boat Frank Spiller Locke went out at 3 o'clock on an ebbing tide, in a gentle north-easterly breeze and moderate seas. Arriving at the position indicated she began her search and a man was sighted at 3.50 swimming in the water. The life-boat drew alongside and picked him up.

The man said a second man was still in the water and the life-boat searched for him. Naval assistance was requested in view of the size of area and the darkness.

The dockyard tug Agnes was sent to join the search and after dawn a helicopter also helped. The helicopter located an upturned dinghy at 8.2 one hundred yards east of Portland harbour. There was no sign of the other man. The life-boat and helicopter continued their search until 8.30 when it was abandoned. The life-boat returned to her moorings at 9 a.m..