Ditched aircraft AT 2225 on April 22, 1987 the station honorary secretary at Wick was alerted by Pentland Coastguard that a Buccaneer aircraft had ditched in the sea more than 21 miles north east by east of Wick.

The 48ft 6in Oakley class lifeboat Princess Marina launched at 2240 and proceeded to the given position, arriving there at 0001 on April 23.

The warship Soberton, on-scene commander, ordered a box search covering a four mile area and at 0220 the lifeboat located the first piece of wreckage.

Further wreckage and the body of one of the airmen was found by the Princess Marina before Coxswain Donald McKay and his crew were relieved by an RAF launch. The lifeboat returned to station at 1530, having been on service for more than 17 hours..