Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin - At 8.30 p.m. on 20th April, 1968, the Dun Laoghaire lighthouse keeper told the honorary secretary that a man who had set out for Holyheadin an aluminium tub was in difficulties one cable east of the east pier lighthouse. The life-boat John F.

Kennedy slipped her moorings at 8.37 in a fresh southerly breeze and a moderate sea. The tide was ebbing.

Just before the arrival of the lifeboat the tub sank and a lighthouse keeper swam several hundred yards to the man's assistance. However, he found the strong currents were sweeping the man further away and he turned back on seeing the life-boat approaching. The life-boat rescued the man and returned him to the harbour where an ambulance was waiting to take him to hospital. The life-boat returned to her moorings at 8.50..