Bembridge, Isle of Wight - At 2.30 a.m. on I9th January, 1967, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the Danish m.v. Bettann, which was anchored off St. Helens Fort, was firing red flares. The life-boat Jesse Lumb was launched at 2.50 in a strong southerly wind and a very rough sea. It was three and a half hours after low water. She found the vessel, which was aground, at 3.17 and the coastguard then advised her that the tug Boxer would attempt to refloat the vessel. The life-boat informed the tug that pumping equipment was more urgently required than a tow, and at 3.56 the tug arrived alongside. The destroyer Agincourt was also standing by.

At 4.29 the crew'of the Bettann were taken off by the life-boat but the master remained on board. The tug Boxer left for more sheltered waters at 5.3 as the weather was worsening. At 6.15 the coastguard advised the coxswain that the dockyard vessel Appleby would be arriving at about 7.30 with pumps on board. At 8.22 equipment was put aboard the Bettann. The life-boat informed the coastguard at 9.14 that pumping had ceased and that the m.v. Bettann was sinking. She had taken off the master, and his wife was aboard the tug Boxer, The life-boat arrived back on station at 10.15..