At 5.17 a.m. on loth October, 1966, three red flares were sighted off Port Ellen light. The life-boat Francis W.

Wotherspoon of Paisley left her moorings at 5.37 in a strong south easterly wind and a rough sea. It was four hours after high water. A search of the area was carried out in conjunction with other local craft. The coaster Limelight, of Greenock, with a crew of five on board, was found aground on a reef one and a half miles south west of Port Ellen pier.

Heavy seas were breaking over the main deck of the casualty which was slewed round with her port side to the seas.She was taking in water. The life-boat stood by a short distance from the coaster and was later asked to take the mate ashore to telephone the vessel's owners.

On returning to the Limelight the life-boat was asked to take the crew as the master had decided to abandon ship. The crew were landed at Port Ellen and the lifeboat returned to her station at 11.50..