Sick man aboard ferry AT 1300 on the afternoon of Thursday October 4, 1984, Poole's 33ft Brede class lifeboat. Inner Wheel, launched on service after the cross channel ferry, Purbeck, reported she had a man aboard with severe abdominal pains.

Coxswain Frank Ide was at the helm of the lifeboat and the station's honorary medical adviser, Dr M. S. Taylor, was on board. The wind was east-southeasterly, near gale force 7, there were rain showers and the sea was rough when the lifeboat drew alongside the ferry at 1330. Dr Taylor was unaccustomed to mounting pilot ladders but despite this and the rough sea, he succeeded in getting aboard Purbeck.

There he attended the sick man and decided to stay on board the ferry with his patient until she berthed in Poole.

The man was then taken to hospital.

Meanwhile, the lifeboat returned to station and was once again ready for service at 1415. Following this service a letter of appreciation, signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, was sent to Dr Taylor..