Girvan, Ayrshire - At 5.20 p.m. on 26th April, 1970, the motor mechanic of the life-boat reported that a yacht was in difficulties off the harbour and drifting towards the dangerous coast south of Girvan. At 5.35 the life-boat James and Barbara Aitken slipped her moorings in a strong north westerly wind with a rough sea. It was low water. At 5.43 she came up with the 20-foot yacht Andante with a crew of three. They were incapacitated by seasickness and exhaustion.

The men were taken aboard the life-boat and replaced by the second coxswain of the life-boat and a crew member. The life-boat took the yacht in tow through confused breaking seas to a safe mooring in Girvan harbour, and returned to her moorings at 6.10..