At 9.41 p.m. on i5th August, 1966, red flares were reported off Strumble Head.

At 9.51 the life-boat Howard Marryat was launched on a smooth sea. It was two hours after high water. The life-boat found the fishing vessel Ajax with a sheered engine shaft. The crew assisted with the repair, and then the coxswain saw other red flares three miles to the south west. The life-boat proceeded and discovered the sloop Rosebud, also broken down. She was towed to Fishguard. The life-boat returned to her station at 2.31 a.m. on i6th August..