At 10.30 p.m. on ifth July, 1967, information was received that the ship Sapphire had rescued a man who had fallen overboard from the yacht Sturdy Maria. He required medical aid. As a helicopter could not go the life-boat Michael and Lily Davis slipped her moorings at 11.20 with the honorary medical adviser on board. There was a light westerly breeze and a smooth sea. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat came alongside the Sapphire and the doctor was put on board. The man, who was found to be dead, was taken on board the life-boat together with the remaining five members of the yacht's crew. With the yacht in tow the life-boat returned to her station at 6.58 a.m. on i6th July..