At 4.30 p.m. on 6th August, 1967, the coastguard informed the coxswain that a Thames spritsail barge was aground on Margate Hook sands and asked if the IRB could investigate. She had not fired any distress signals but appeared to be in difficulties. The coxswain informed the honorary secretary and the IRB was launched at 4.35 in a gentle south westerly breeze and a smooth sea. It was three hours after high water. She found the vessel, which was listing to port, stuck fast on the sand between Hook beacon and South Margate buoy. The officer commanding the cadet training barge Kenya Jacaranda, a converted trawler, asked the IRB crew to arrange for the cadets to be taken off as the vessel was in danger of going over when the tide receded further. Flares were fired by the IRB to summon the life-boat North Foreland (Civil Service No. ji) which was launched at 6.8. She reached the sailing barge at 6.50 but could not go alongside.

Supports had been put out to keep the barge upright. Fourteen cadets climbed down a ladder which was put down over the bow, five at a time, to avoid making any unnecessary movement of the vessel.

They were taken by the IRB to the lifeboat.

The last cadets had to wade throughthe water for about 20 yards in order to reach the IRB. When all the cadets were aboard the life-boat, the IRB informed the officer in charge that the life-boat would return at about 10.30 to stand by while she refloated. Both the life-boat and the IRB then returned to Margate. The IRB arrived back on station at 8.30.

Upon arrival at Margate jetty the lifeboat landed the cadets and remained there as it was low water. At 10 o'clock she put out again and arrived at the casualty 15 minutes later. A towing rope was secured and the barge was eventually refloated and taken in tow to a position east of Margate pier. The commanding officer was taken ashore so that he could make necessary arrangements for conveying the boys back to the vessel. The life-boat returned to her station at 1.45 a.m. on yth August. A letter of appreciation was received from the Sea Cadet Corps headquarters in London..