Falmouth, Cornwall. At 11.5 p.m.

on 9th December, 1965, the coastguard reported that a motor fishing vessel had broken down in the Helford River opposite the Ferry Boat Inn and that she was dragging her anchor. The life-boat Crawford and Constance Conybeare set out at 11.34 in a strong westerly breeze and a moderate sea. The tide was ebbing.

The life-boat reached the fishing vessel Penarven, and found that two men had gone out in a dinghy to help the fisherman.

A tow line was put aboard the vessel and the life-boat towed the Penarven to a safe anchorage off Port Navas and was back at her moorings at 1.30 a.m..