CONDITIONS DETERIORATING At 8.50 a.m. on 22nd November, 1965, conditions on and near the harbour were rapidly deteriorating and two motor fishing vessels, still at sea, were due to return to harbour. The life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at 9 o'clock in a north-westerly gale and a very rough sea.

It was low water. The life-boat stood by as the two fishing vessels Ocean Venturer and Success entered harbour, then stood by again as the vessel Lead Us negotiated the harbour bar. The life-boat returned to her station at 2.40 p.m..