On 1 February 1916, HMS Philomel was anchored at Muscat in the Persian Gulf. The ship's cutter had been sent inshore where it was to anchor to enable the transfer of personnel to canoes for the trip through the surf to the shore. Shortly after anchoring the cutter was swamped by large waves and the canoes capsized. The crew swam towards the shore with the exception of Able Seaman E R Anderson who was unable to swim. Seeing his predicament, Abel Seaman Frank Kivell, without a thought for his own safety and without removing his clothes, swam back through the waves. He located Able Seaman N Castel, who had become entangled in the floating rigging, and assisted him back to shore. He again swam out and with considerable difficulty was able to bring Anderson safely ashore.