Margate, Kent - At 6.36 p.m. on 16th October, 1967, the coastguard informed the coswain that a small boat with two men on board was in difficulties one and a half miles off the coastguard lookout at Foreness.

In view of approaching darkness and worsening weather conditions they were likely to need assistance, although no distress signal had yet been made. The life-boat North Foreland (Civil Service No. 11) was launched at 6.50 in a fresh gusting to strong south westerly breeze and a rough sea. It was low water. On reaching the scene the small boat could not be found. The life-boat then proceeded eastwards for a quarter of a mile and with the aid of a flare the small boat was seen. Her outboard motor had broken down.

The boat was taken in tow to Palm bay so that the two men could make their way to Palm bay sands. They had, however, some difficulty in rowing as the rowlocks had been broken. The two men were taken on board the life-boat and their boat was towed to Margate jetty. The lifeboat returned to her station at 8.45..