Mallaig, Inverness-shire - At 5.40 p.m. on 5th September, 1966, a boat was reported to be overdue between Tirea and Coll. The life-boat EMM. Gordon Cubbin left her moorings at 5.50 in a gale force south westerly wind and a rough sea. It was one hour after low water.

After an hour she was recalled by the coastguards as the boat was safe, but she had only been back on station for twenty minutes when the boat was again reported to be in difficulties and the life-boat proceeded immediately. She found the motor yacht Collach, of Coll, in Loch Breacacha, on the Isle of Coll. The lifeboat made several attempts to approach her but this proved impossible owing to the ebbing tide and darkness. During one of the attempts a heavy sea broke over the life-boat shearing the loudhailer and cracking one of the wheelhouse windows. When daylight came it was seen that the casualty seemed to be lying safely. A further attempt was made to get into the loch but this was also unsuccessful.

The coastguard life-saving apparatus team were standing by ashore and it was felt that they could easily take the occupants off if necessary. After sending a message to the honorary secretary, the life-boat proceeded to Aringour where the crew informed the life saving apparatus team that they felt that the occupants should be taken ashore. The skipper insisted that he remain on board, but the remainder of the yacht's crew and passengers were taken off by the lifesaving apparatus team. They confirmed that there was no risk in the skipper remaining on board, so after advising the honorary secretary of this, the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 7.35 p.m. on 6th September. During this service invaluable assistance was rendered to the life-boat by the m.v. Ajax in locating the casualty..