I remember the tragic loss of the Moushole Lifeboat many years ago. The Coxswain rejected 2 crew members because the weather was so foul that he would only take one person from any Family.
The SAR Wessex from Culdrose was on station but the Captain (a USN Lt) refused to allow the Crewman to go down because of the appalling conditions. The weather conditions were way outside the limitations of the Wessex but they remained on station.
The crew of the distressed vessel and the entire crew of the Lifeboat perished in the tragedy.
The USN Captain paid his own fare across the Atlantic so that he could pay tribute to the RNLI crew at the Inquest. He described how the Lifeboat had actually timed a run and "beached" itself on the side of the Ship so that the crew could get aboard. This they did but the Lifeboat itself later succumbed to the Elements.
If you are trying to save life then the normal "Rules" for Peacetime Operation do not necesarily apply.
PS
I see on SKY News that HMG are going to introduce legislation that will allow Ambulance Drivers to "jump" Red Lights in an Emergency thus bring them into line with the other Emergency Services.
There are times when normal "RULES" have to give way.