Harwich, Essex - At 5.23 p.m. on 3rd February, 1969, the duty pilot informed the honorary secretary that a catamaran with two people on board was adrift near Platter's buoy. The life-boat Margaret Graham slipped her moorings at 5.30 in a light north westerly breeze with a slight sea. It was three hours after high water. The Dutch motor ferry stood by the drifting boat until relieved by the m.v. Essex Ferry of Harwich. The catamaran continued to drift and was one mile east of the Cork Spit buoy when the life-boat came up at 5.50. The life-boat got a line on board the catamaran and started to tow. This was made difficult by the unusual construction of the drifting boat coupled with a freshening wind and a choppy sea. The casualty was berthed safely at Harwich, and the life-boat returned to her station at 7.10..