At 5.50 p.m. on 25th June, 1969, it was learnt that the fishing vessel Kells Bay was drifting half a mile off shore at Bull head. The life-boat Peter and Sarah Blake, on temporary duty at the station, slipped her moorings in a strong south westerly wind with a rough sea. The tide was ebbing. She came up with the fishing vessel at 7.30. Her engine had broken down. The four men on board were taken aboard the life-boat and the vessel was towed to Kells pier. The life-boat returned to her station at 10.30..