Tyne to the rescue of sinking pilotboat Ramsgate's relief Tyne class lifeboat Owen andAnnAisherw&s called to the assistance of Ramsgate port control on 1 June 1991 when one of their launches, the pilot boat St Olave, was reported to be sinking 1.75 miles NNE of the North Foreland.

The tide was ebbing and a fresh NE breeze was making the sea choppy when the lifeboat left her moorings at 0307 with a salvage pump on board. When she reached the casualty, just 13 minutes later, the bow of the pilot cutter was almost underwater, the forward cabin was flooded and water was reaching the engine room.

Second coxswain Derek Pegden and crew-man Timothy Hurst went aboard, taking the pump with them, and had to smash a hatch to gain entry to the forecabin. As pumping began, the lifeboat took the St Olave in tow to Ramsgate, stern first.

Already having taken off two survivors from the casualty, a second pilot cutter took the lifeboatmen off when the swell made thecasualty list to a dangerous angle during the tow.

The lifeboat continued to pump out the cutter on arrival at Ramsgate until a crane could be brought in to lift it onto the quay.

The lifeboat then returned to station and was back on her moorings, ready for service at 0540..