Southend-on-Sea, Essex - At 8.53 p.m. on 18th May, 1969, the coastguard reported that a motor boat, on passage between West Mersea and East Shoebury, was overdue. The m.v. City of Capetown reported sighting a boat aground on the Maplin sands. The life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott, on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 9.20 in a moderate breeze with a corresponding sea. It was three hours after high water. The life-boat found the motor boat Andante on the Maplin sands. Her engine had broken down. The four people on board were rescued, and the yacht was taken in tow to Southend-on-Sea.

The life-boat returned to her station at 1.15 a.m..