The Maud Smith Bequest for the outstanding act of lifesaving by a lifeboatman in 1977 has been given to Coxswain Thomas Walsh of Kilmore.

On December 24 the lifeboat under his command was capsized twice while investigating a report of red flares in a strong gale and exceptionally high seas.

One crew member who was washed out of the lifeboat during the first capsize was rescued and three of the four crew members who were washed out of the lifeboat during the second capsize were also rescued.

The Ralph Glister Award for the most meritorious service of 1977 by the crew of an inshore lifeboat has been made to Helmsman Peter David Bliss and Crew Members Barry Garland and Roger Radcliffe of St Agnes, who on July 17, rescued an injured man trapped in a narrow rocky cove at the base of 150ft overhanging cliffs. The ILB, Blue Peter IV, continually swamped by breaking waves, was driven through dangerous surf and over rocks just below the surface.

The James Michael Bower Fund monetary awards have been made to the seven lifeboatmen who received the RNLI's silver medal for gallantry in 1977: The late Coxswain Eric Pengilly, Sennen Cove; Coxswain Matthew Lethbridge, BEM, St Mary's; Coxswain Antony Warnock and Second Coxswain/ Assistant Mechanic Trevor England, Padstow; Helmsman David Bliss, St Agnes; Coxswain Thomas Cocking, Senior, St Ives; and Coxswain Thomas Walsh, Kilmore..