Aith, Shetlands - At 12.45 a.m. on 3rd July, 1966, the medical authorities requested the assistance of the life-boat to take a doctor and nurse to Foula Island where someone was seriously ill. The life-boat John and Frances Macfarlane was launched at 2.5. There was a moderate southwesterly wind and a heavy swell. It was three and a half hours after high water.

The life-boat reached Foula and landed the doctor and nurse at 5.30 after encountering some difficulty in reaching the small pier, due to the low state of the tide.

The doctor returned to the life-boat at 7.5. She sailed immediately and arrived back on station at 10.45..