At 10.59 a.m. on 13th May, 1968, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that flares were seen west of Rye harbour entrance. The life-boat Fairlight was launched at 11.10 in a south westerly gale and a very rough sea. It was one and a half hours before high water. She found the yacht Penguin with engine trouble east of the life-boat station. There were four people on board. They were transferred to the life-boat and the yacht was then taken in tow to Rye harbour by a fishing vessel.

The life-boat returned to her station at 1.40 p.m. where the yachtsmen were landed safely..