"Some years ago, when a life-boat was about to be launched in the teeth of a gale, someone said to the coxswain: 'You can't go out in a sea like that—you'll never come back.' The coxswain replied, 'We have to go out—we don't have to come back.' " So began a B.B.C. television feature They have to go out..., which was shown to Scottish viewers on Sunday I4th November, 1965. The words were spoken by the Rev. James Wood, who gave the commentary throughout the half-hour programme.

Many filmed sequences showing life-boats being launched and at sea were used. The Aberdeen life-boat was prominent and its coxswain, Mr. Leo Clegg, was interviewed in the studio by the Rev. James Wood.

The late Tom Sinclair, who was coxswain of the Aberdeen life-boat from 1924 to 1949, was recalled by the Rev. James Wood, and this part of the programme was illustrated by photographs of the late coxswain's certificates and medals.

Occasions when life-boatmen have failed to come back were recalled, the Broughty Ferry and Fraserburgh tragedies being mentioned..