Net in propeller AT 1640 on Friday, May 30, Humber Superintendent Coxwain B. W. Bevan heard from the Coastguard that the fishing boat Anina of Grimsby was drifting with a net in her propeller 11| miles south east of Spurn lighthouse. No other boats were in the area and there was a heavy swell.The 46' 9" Watson lifeboat City of Bradford HI was launched ten minutes later in a strong north by west wind and flood tide.

While on the way to Anina it was learnt that her skipper was suffering from chest pains. One of her crew made a link call via Humber Radio to a doctor, who diagnosed a heart attack and said the skipper needed hospital treatment.

As Anina had too much rigging and was rolling too heavily in the deep swell for a helicopter lift, and a tow would take some 5 or 6 hours, Coxwain Brian Bevan decided to take the skipper aboard the lifeboat and request a helicopter. This operation was carried out in very difficult conditions because the fishing boat had trawl doors slung on both her quarters and loose net and wires floating at her stern. She was laid broadside to the wind and was rolling heavily. The lifeboat approached on her port side and the sick man was transferred.

The lifeboat then set a north west course to rendezvous with the helicopter; it was now 1825. At 1915 the sick man was safely lifted by helicopter and the lifeboat was put about to go to the help of the drifting boat and her two remaining crew.

Anina had drifted before the strong wind and flood tide some 5 miles south of her first position. She was taken in tow at 1948 but headway of only 2 or 3 knots was possible against wind and tide. After a tow taking some 7£ hours Anina and her crew of two were brought safely to Grimsby at 0322. The lifeboat set out again at 0500, after taking on some fuel, arrived back on station at Spurn at 0547 and was rehoused and ready for service at 0818..