Sinking yacht JERSEY RADIO received a MAYDAY relay call at 2215 on the night of Sunday August 5, 1984. The 25ft French sloop, La Boussole, had hit a rock north of Alderney and was sinking. Alderney lifeboat station was notified and at 2233 the 33ft Brede class lifeboat, Foresters Future, on 12 month's evaluation at Alderney, was launched and heading for the casualty. Coxswain Stephen Shaw was in command; the weather was fine and there was a gentle south west by southerly breeze blowing.

A small local ferry, Mainbrayce Taxi, had heard the distress call and, still carrying two passengers, also went to the yacht's assistance. The ferry wasfirst to reach the yacht which was lying with her bow under water in a position close to Platte Rock. The ferry's boatman passed a line aboard La Boussole and towed her towards Corblets Bay.

At 2243 the lifeboat arrived. She had fired three white parachute flares to locate the two boats and this revealed that the yacht, under tow, was in danger of rolling over and sinking, taking the ferry and occupants with her.

The lifeboat took off the only crew member aboard the yacht and one of the passengers from the ferry whichthen left for Braye Harbour with her remaining passenger. At 2305 the lifeboat abandoned the yacht, which was now sinking, and headed for Braye Harbour. The two men were landed and at 2325 the lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service once more at her mooring..