Gear Box Failure ON SUNDAY, September 16, 1973, a local fisherman at Wells, Norfolk, informed the coxswain's wife that the 54' fishing vessel Graceful Lady, on passage from Great Yarmouth to Wells, was stranded on the east side of Wells harbour entrance with three people on board.

The lifeboat, Ernest Tom Neathercoat, was launched at 9.55 p.m. in fine weather, good visibility and a slight sea with a north east swell. The ILB was also launched to assist in taking a line to the casualty.

When the lifeboat came up alongside, it was found that Graceful Lady's gear box had broken down while entering harbour; the boat had grounded and started to take in water. The three fishermen were taken off at 10.09 and landed ten minutes later. The lifeboat returned to her station at 10.40..