Amble, Northumberland - In the early afternoon of 3Oth January, 1967, four fishing cobles were at sea when conditions at the harbour bar were worsening.

The life-boat Millie Walton slipped her moorings at 2.16 p.m. in a light south westerly wind and a rough sea. It was two hours after low water. She proceeded to the harbour entrance and stood by while the cobles Silver Coquet, Provider, Ocean Vanguard and Wayside Flower entered the harbour. She returned to her station at 3.30..