On 5th December, 1970, m.f.v. Upernavik of Esbjerg with five people on board went ashore at Bressay. The Lerwick, Shetland, life-boat Southern Africa on temporary duty at the station slipped her moorings at 1.2. There was a westerly gale with a rough sea.

At 1.20 the life-boat came up with the fishing vessel and subsequently assisted the tug Masterman to secure a line. The tug was refloated at 2 p.m. and the life-boat returned to her station at 2.18.

At 4.1 p.m. the life-boat slipped her moorings.