Life-boat 40-001 at Sheerness, Kent - At 4.10 p.m. on 26th April, 1969, while returning from exercise in a strong south westerly wind with a moderate sea, the life-boat saw a yacht sailing towards Garrison point in a dangerous position close to the shore. She was kept under observation, but despite warnings from the Medway port operation station she struck the sewer outfall. Life-boat 40-001 immediately closed with the yacht Degree which was already awash, and took off the crew of three. The yacht was taken in tow, and her owner, who had sustained a cut hand, was given first aid. She was berthed at the ordnance basin at Sheerness, and the life-boat returned to her station at 5.15..