At 6.4 p.m. on the 28th October, 1969, the east pier watchman told the honorary secretary that red flares had been sighted east south east of Ramsgate. At 6.16 the life-boat Michael and Lily Davis slipped her moorings in a light south westerly wind with a smooth sea. The tide was ebbing. She came up with the yacht Christina, with three people on board, two miles south west of the North Goodwin lightvessel. Her engine had broken down. The lifeboat took her in tow to Ramsgate, and returned to her station at 8.33..