Today's lifeboatmen Barry Bennett has been coxswain of St Mary's, Isles of Scilly lifeboat since 1991.

Barry, who is a fisherman, first joined the crew in 1979 and served as second coxswain from 1985 until his appointment as coxswain.

He was awarded a Bronze medal in 1993 in recognition of his outstanding courage, skill and seamanship when the lifeboat Robert Edgar rescued the sole occupant of the yacht Bacarale which was swamped by heavy seas in very shallow waters off Port Cressa Bay on 12 September. The lone yachtsman had anchored in the bay, but in winds gusting to Force 9 and breaking seas was soon in difficulties. After several attempts the lifeboat closed the casualty and the survivor was hauled on board just as the yacht was engulfed by waves and sank..