Engine failure THERE WAS A northerly near gale, force 7, blowing and a rough sea when the relief 47ft Watson class lifeboat, T.G.B., on temporary duty at Lowestoft, left her mooring at 1832 on the evening of Friday October 5, 1984. She was under the command of Coxswain John Catchpole and had launched to the motor cruiser, Hasty Lady, which had reported recurring trouble with one of her engines six miles south of Lowestoft.

She could make no headway and was drifting steadily southwards with two men on board.

It took an hour for the lifeboat to reach the motor cruiser, by which time the wind had backed and strengthened to a north-north-easterly storm force 10. The sea had become very rough and the swell was six feet high. At 1934 the lifeboat was taken along the port side of the casualty and a tow rope was successfully passed and secured.

Coxswain Catchpole then set a course for Lowestoft and at 2111 the two boats entered Lowestoft Harbour where, with the help of the lifeboat crew. Hasty Lady was safely moored.

The lifeboat returned to her mooring and at 2127, was once again ready for service..