THE first gallantry medals to be awarded to crew members of an inflatable lifeboat were in September 1969. Robert Stewart and Andrew Scott of Amble won bronze medals for the rescue of two men from a capsized yacht, off Amble pier.

Without thought for their own safety, the lifeboatmen launched into heavy, breaking seas. When they eventually sighted the two survivors clinging to a lifebuoy, they needed all their skill to get close enough to take the men on board the lifeboat.

Last December, Ian Stringer, Helmsman of the Eastbourne lifeboat won a bronze medal for rescuing three members of a film unit, filming a James Bond adventure, when their small boat capsized off Beachy Head. Ian took the lifeboat through dangerous rocks and shallows with breaking seas and surf making navigation hazardous.

Altogether 26 medals have been awarded to crew members of D class inflatable lifeboats as they are now known..