Three days later, on Wednesday July 30, a message came to the honorary secretary from the Coastguard at 1400 that a bather was in difficulties off Cowden, eight miles to the north. The D class inflatable lifeboat was launched by 1413, manned by Helmsman Thomas L. Wallis and Crew Member Graham White; by 1440 she had joined an RAF helicopter from Leconfield, an RN survey vessel and a Coastguard boat from Hornsea in a search for a 15-year-old boy, Paul Ripley, who hadgone to the help of a girl swimmer in difficulties. The girl had been rescued by people on the beach, but the boy was missing.

The search continued until about 1700 but nothing was found. The lifeboat was back on station at 1750 and rehoused, once again ready for service, at 1815..