MFV sinking SKEGNESS LIFEBOAT, the 37ft Oakley Charles Fred Crantham, launched at 1730 on Wednesday October 4, 1978, to go to the help of the fishing boat Fair Maid aground three miles north of the station in a dangerous position. It was a fine evening with good visibility. A gentle to moderate breeze was blowing from the south south west, the sea was slight and the tide had been flooding for three hours.

Fair Maid's owner had made repairs to her engine and refloated with the tide intending to return to King's Lynn, but the boat was damaged below water and began to sink. Three crew members were put aboard to bale while the lifeboat towed the fishing boat clear ofthe danger area and then to the mud flats south of Gibraltar Point, where she finally sank. Her owner was taken aboard the lifeboat and landed at Skegness at 2100. The lifeboat was rehoused and ready for service at 2215..