Valentia Co. Kerry - At 1.15 a.m. on 22nd December, 1968, Valentia radio station told the honorary secretary that the m.f.v. Sea Flower of Castletownbere was in distress in the Ardgroon harbour area. Maroonswere fired at 1.20. There was a south westerly gale gusting to storm force.

The weather was overcast with poor visibility and it was low water. The Rowland Watts life-boat slipped her moorings at 1.35. The life-boat took the shortest route to Ardgroon harbour, about thirty-three miles away, passing close inside Puffin island. At 3.35 the m.f.v. Ard Beam warned that rocks were awash close to the casualty and at 5.15 she reported that her lights had disappeared.

At this time the life-boat was about 10 miles away. The life-boat arrived in the distress area at around 6.15 and started the search using parachute flares. She was assisted by the Ard Beara and at daylight both boats picked up wreckage and life-jackets.

At 2.40 p.m. two bodies were reported to be floating in life-jackets off Ardea Castle. The life-boat went to this position but found nothing. At 6.5 Valentia radio informed the lifeboat that the police had found all five bodies washed ashore. At this time the life-boat was in Sneem harbour, where she remained for the night. The life-boat left Sneem harbour at 9 o'clock on 23rd December and secured at Valentia at 12.50 p.m. A letter of thanks, signed by the Secretary of the Institution, Mr. Stirling Whorlow, O.B.E., was sent to the coxswain and crew of the life-boat in recognition of their services on this occasion..