At 11.19 a.m. on 27th August, 1967, the ship's agent at Hull informed the coxswain superintendent that there was a sick man on board the s.s. Knossos of Greece. The life-boat Edward and Isabella Irwin, on temporary duty at the station, launched at 12.4 with a doctor on board. The tide was ebbing. Visibility was down to 200 yards owing to fog. On arrival at Spurn lightvessel the pilot vessel informed the coxswain that the Knossos was anchored a mile east of the lightvessel.

The life-boat came alongside at i o'clock and the doctor was put aboard. After examination the sick man was embarked and the life-boat proceeded to Spurn. On arrival at Spurn it was found that there was insufficient water for the life-boat to land the man. A yacht anchored near the life-boat house was asked if she would land the doctor and sick man. Her owner readily agreed and they were taken ashore in the yacht's motor boat. The life-boat anchored to await sufficient water to rehouse, which was done at 7.50 p.m..