Broughty Ferry's Arun class Spirit of Tayside was called out to stand by the Granton-based tug Defiant aground on the Gaa Sands on 13 May 1988. Although the wind was only Force 4 from the SE a 6ft to 8ft swell was running, and wasbreaking over the tug.

Forth Coastguard first alerted the lifeboat at 0740, and Spirit of Tayside launched ten minutes later for the fiveand mile passage to the Gaa Sands.

When she arrived at 0810 the crew found one of the tug's crew in a very distressed state, and as they could not approach the tug helicopter assistance was requested.

The master and mechanic also asked to be taken off when the helicopter arrived,fiveand after putting them aboard the lifeboat the helicopter took the distressed sailor ashore for treatment.

The lifeboat stood by Defiant until she refloated. By 1025 the two crew had been put back aboard the tug, and Spirit of Tayside was back on station by 1040..