When an unknown vessel reported sighting the masts of a sinking ship near the South Varne buoy on 27th February, 1971, the Dungeness life-boat was unable to launch immediately owing to low water and spring tides. The Dover life-boat Faithful Forester of Dover left her moorings at 9.37 in a light westerly wind with fog patches and snow squalls. It was low water.

The Dungeness life-boat Mabel E. Holland followed at 10.50 when there was sufficient water. She joined the Dover life-boat and other vessels in the search area and at 11.52 she picked up a life-belt marked m.v. Niki of Piraeus. This was reported to the coastguard and it was confirmed shortly afterwards that the vessel had sailed from Dunkirk at 7.30. About 11 minutes later the Dover life-boat picked up the first body and shortly afterwards the Dungeness life-boat picked up a body and some wreckage.

The life-boats continued to search throughout the hours of darkness in conjunction with other surface craft. A R.A.F. Shackleton dropped flares in the search area.

At first light the Dungeness life-boat picked up six bodies and the Dover life-boat two. At 7.35 a.m. a helicopter joined in the search and at 7.58 the Dungeness life-boat picked up afurther body. One hour later the Dover life-boat also recovered a body.

The search continued until 10.47 when 10 bodies in all were picked up, seven by the Dungeness life-boat and three by the Dover lifeboat.

As the entire area had been combed thoroughly it was decided to call off the search.

The Dungeness life-boat reached Dover about 11.45, and the Dover life-boat at 12.41. p.m. The Dungeness crew, having had refreshment on shore, left Dover at 1.40, reaching her station at 4.45..