Clacton-on-Sea, Essex - At 4.43 a.m.

on 13th May, 1968, the coastguard reported that a flare had been seen near the North Buxey buoy. The life-boat Valentine Wyndham-Quin was launched at 5.15 in a south westerly gale with a moderate sea.

The tide was ebbing. A helicopter was also sent. At 6.39 the helicopter reported that the cabin cruiser Blue Dolphin was aground half a mile north west of the Sunken Buxey buoy. The helicopter took off four people, leaving the skipper on board, and took them to Wallasea.

The life-boat stood by until the Blue Dolphin refloated and then took her in tow to Burnham. The cabin cruiser had engine trouble and her battery was flat. The life-boat returned to her station at 4.31..