At 8.22 a.m. on 26th May, 1967, information was received that a small vessel had fired flares about five miles north of Grenham Bay, Birchington. The life-boat North Foreland (Civil Service No. 11) was launched at 8.44 in a slight south easterly breeze and a smooth sea.

The tide was ebbing. When the life-boat was off Westgate a helicopter informed the crew that the vessel, a yacht with four people on board, was west of Hooksands. It transpired that the actual position was west of Margate Sands beacon. The life-boat came up with the yacht which had a heavy list to port. The IRB, which had also put out, kept contact between the yacht and Jife-boat as, due to insufficient water, the life-boat could not come alongside. Tow lines were passed to the yacht by the IRB and she then returned to her station. The life-boat towed the yacht off at 11.10 and then returned to Margate harbour which was reached at i o'clock. Owing to low water in the harbour the yacht was moored alongside the harbour wall. The life-boat was left in the harbour until there was sufficient water to rehouse her at 4.50..