Bude, Port Isaac and Padstow, Cornwall; and Clovelly, North Devon - At 9.40 a.m. on 22nd August, 1969, the coastguard informed the Bude honorary secretary that distress flares from a large white boat had been seen two miles west of Lower Sharpnose point.

The IRB was launched at 9.45 in afresh north north westerly wind with a moderate sea and a slight swell. It was three hours before high water. A helicopter was sent to help in the search. The Clovelly life-boat Charles H. Barrett (Civil Service No. 35), on passage to Ilfracombe at 9.50, was alerted but the alert was cancelled and she returned to Clovelly at 2.10 p.m. The IRB came up with the motor cruiser Mervic which had had engine failure and was now under way again but was taking in water.

At the request of the master the IRB stood by the Mervic, whose engine room was flooded. A mile and a half north north east of Port Isaac the engine failed again. The Port Isaac IRB was launched at 12.12 to relieve the Bude IRB, and the Padstow life-boat James and Catherine Macfarlane was launched at 12.55. The life-boat came up with the Mervic at about 2 o'clock and took her in tow. The Bude IRB, which had run short of fuel, was beached at Port Isaac at 1 o'clock.

The Port Isaac IRB returned to her station at two o'clock. The Padstow life-boat towed the motor cruiser and her crew of four into Padstow at 3.45, and returned to her station at 4.45..