At 1 a.m. on 17th May, 1969, it was reported that a red flare had been sighted three to four miles from Deal coastguard lookout. The life-boat Michael and Lily Davis slipped her moorings at 1.19. The tide was ebbing. At 1.44 the life-boat came up with the cabin cruiser Secunda, with three people on board, abreast of Dumpton Gap. She was adrift and sinking. The yacht Alda was standing by her. The Secunda was towed to Broadstairs and moored alongside the jetty where the fire brigade pumped her out. The lifeboat escorted the yacht Alda back to Ramsgate, and returned to her station at 2.46..