Wicklow - At 10.55 P-m- on September, 1966, the m.v. Westerook, which had left Wicklow harbour that night bound for Cork, was reported aground on the North Arklow bank and had asked for the assistance of the lifeboat.

The life-boat J. W. Archer was launched at 11.10. It was one hour after high water. The life-boat found the m.v.

Westerook seven miles south south west of the North Arklow buoy. The life-boat went alongside and the coxswain went aboard. He then asked the second coxs-wain to sound around the ship. There were seven feet of water on the port side and ten to eleven feet on the starboard.

The coxswain then advised the master to weigh anchor and go full astern. As there was no movement he suggested that they try to go full ahead and then astern. This time the vessel refloated. A member of the life-boat crew was put on board the casualty to act as a pilot and the life-boat escorted her back to Wicklow.

When the Westerook was safely moored, the life-boat moved to the east pier at 3.45 a.m. on 30th September, as there was insufficient water at the slipway to rehouse. The life-boat was finally rehoused at 9 o'clock..