SHORT OF FUEL At 10.47 a.m. on 22nd December, 1965, the coastguard told the honorary secretary he had received a message from the Royal Sovereign lightvessel that there was a small boat alongside with three men who had not enough fuel to return to shore.

As there was no immediate danger, the coastguard tried to find a boat to go to their assistance, but no boat was available, so the life-boat Beryl Tollemache was launched at 11.55 m a fresh southerly breeze and a choppy sea. It was an hour and a half after high water. The life-boat reached the lightvessel, took the three men aboard and the small boat in tow, and arrived at her station at 1.45 p.m..