A mock Viking longship—one of four glass fibre replicas belonging to the Viking Longship Association—ran into trouble in Peel Harbour, on the Isle of Man, during a local carnival on August 2, 1987, when it began leaking and became submerged with 17 people on board. Peel's Atlantic 21 lifeboat B536 was being rehoused 500m away following an exercise, when the incident was spotted by a member of the crew. The lifeboat launched immediately, arriving on scene within a minute.

Helmsman Brian Maddrell noted that the longship was completely awash, the deck being under 40cm of water. The majority of those on board had stayed with the boat, but a young woman and an older man had floated away. Crew member Edward Allen entered the water to assist these two while the lifeboat came alongside the casualty to take the remaining people on board, Crew member James Leece helping the final few to transfer.

The Manx Lochin 38 Fisheries Protection Vessel Enbarr arrived at the scene and managed ot put a line aboard the casualty. The rescued people were landed by the lifeboat, which then returned to the casualty to assist further. Both crewmen boarded the longship, which was then towed by Enbarr to safety. The lifeboat was rehoused and ready for service at 1720, half an hour after launching. Following this service a letter of appreciation was sent to the station by Lt Cmdr Brian Miles, deputy director/chief of operations, who paid particular tribute to the actions of Edward Allen in diving into the water..