Caister, Norfolk. At 7.40 p.m. on 12th February, 1966, one of the life-boat shore helpers had heard a distress call from the trawler Ira of Lowestoft stating that the trawler was aground five miles south-east of Haisbro' lighthouse, and he informed the second coxswain. At 8.8 the life-boat The Royal Thames was launched in a fresh east-north-easterly breeze and a rough sea. It was 3 hours before high water. The life-boat proceeded to the position and found the trawler with heavy seas breaking over her. The life-saving apparatus team was also in attendance and had passed a line to her. The coxswain fired a parachute flare and the trawler crew of five prepared the breeches buoy.

The tug Workman arrived to assist but attempts to tow the Ira clear were unsuccessful, and as preparations to take her crew off by breeches buoy if necessary were complete the life-boat returned to her station at 12.30 a.m..