The crew was preparing to pay their respects at the funeral of former RNLI volunteer Hugh Nelson when they were paged and the Saxon was launched.
They headed to Millisle in response to a report that three people were stranded on rocks. The small inflatable XP boat, used for working close to the shore, was made ready. But as the Lifeboat arrived on scene the Coastguard reported the casualties had been assisted to shore. The Saxon was stood down and returned to station, just in time for the crew and operations team to attend the funeral. Hugh Nelson, aged 84, was the last member of the crew of the RNLB Sir Samuel Kelly which rescued 33 from the Princess Victoria in 1953.