At 4.55 p.m. on 24th January, 1967, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the m.v. Egton was drifting ashore at North Cheek, Robin Hood Bay.

The life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at 5.10 in a light south easterly wind and a slight sea. She went alongside the vessel at 6 o'clock. The vessel was hard aground and pounding heavily. An hour later the life-boat was asked to take off four technicians, but in view of the increasing ground swell and broken water around the vessel the coxswain decided he would take them off when the tide flowed as there would be less risk. When the Egton informed the coxswain that tugs would arrive before the next tide, he decided to return to harbour for the lifeboat crew to have a meal. The life-boat returned at 10.30 to stand by for the salvage operation and to take off the technicians.

The life-boat arrived back at Whitby at 10 o'clock, and set out for Robin Hood's Bay again at 10.28. Shestood by while two rugs attempted to refloat the vessel and a few minutes before high water the ship was still aground. In answer to a request from the Egton the life-boat moved in to take off the technicians. It was then seen that the vessel was moving.

She floated clear at high water. The lifeboat stood by while the Egton anchored..