Sennen Cove, Cornwall - At 11.20 a.m. on 30th March, 1966, the port medical officer at Penzance informed the honorary secretary that the m.v. Hille Oldendorff, of Lubeck, which was about nine miles north west of the Longships lighthouse, needed medical help for an injured seaman. At 11.45 tne life-boat Susan Ashley was launched with a doctor on board. There was a light north westerly wind, the sea was slight and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat came up with the vessel seven miles north west of the lifeboat station and put the doctor on board.

The injured man, who had a suspected fracture of the skull, was transferred to the life-boat, which then returned to her station where an ambulance was waiting, arriving at 1.45 p.m..