The Lifeboat D class lifeboat D-479 M*Y Buili 1995 Cost £11,275 Funding Gift of Or May Road ThaCftw Helmsman Amoi Bewick tor his 'outstanding skill, calm leadership and unswerving deter mi na lion lo perform a hfesavmg service' Joined crew 1994 Occupation Protect worker M*d*l S*rvic* Certificates Crew Members Marty n Da VIM Ale. Shepherd _ Bortti LHeboat Station Established 1966 Previous Medals Thanks on Vellum 1978. 1987 Helmsman Phil Nicol Joined crew 1995 Occupation InttructorQuick action saves life of fellow lifeboatman lost overboard It is particularly difficult for a lifeboat crew to go to the rescue of somebody that they know. It makes it even harder when the casualty is a fellow lifeboatman. The crew of Borth lifeboat took their D class to the very limits of its capabilities in their search for Aberdovey helmsman Phil Nicol. It is without doubt that their bravery and determination in appalling conditions saved Phil from serious injury or even death.'We first heard Aberdovey ILB talking over the radio to Milford Haven Coastguard concerning the loss of one of their crew members,' Amos Bewick remembered. 'We had just returned from exercising in the surf around Borth Head and were aware of the poor conditions.' Aberdovey's Atlantic had lost helmsman Phil Nicol overboard and were having trouble recovering him. He had been caught in an eddy caused by the strong ebb tide, the flow of floodwater-out to sea from the River Dovey and the south-westerly waves.

Borth's D class had been on exercise when the worsening conditions had forced them to return home. They were just 200m from the beach, with the trailer already waiting to recover the boat, when the call came through. As soon as it was confirmed that their assistance was needed, Amos started the three mile journey north.

'The weather had deteriorated while we had been on exercise,' he said. The wind was from the south west and we were glad we were travelling with the wind rather than into the freshening breeze. The swell offshore was getting bigger the further we travelled north. We went as fast as we could between the waves but frequently had to turn seawards and negotiate large breaking waves that threatened to upset the boat.' 'Due fo the onshore wind we had to climb slowly up the waves so as not to hit them like ramps leaving the boat in mid-air, vulnerable to flipping over.' Helmsman Amos Bewick The three mile passage took around half an hour in steadily deteriorating conditions. The ride was exceptionally uncomfortable for the three crew, with heavy wind-blown spray and unpredictable waves. Amos is an experienced surfer and did an outstanding job of controlling the pitching lifeboat. He needed all of his experience and skill to maintain the boat's stability, while continuing to make best speed towards their stranded colleague.

'We encountered increasingly large swells, three of which will be with us in our memories for some time,' said Amos. 'When the boat crawls upthe face of a particularly big wave and then the wave drops away leaving you, your crew and boat in mid-air, causing you to land standing on the transom, it does cause you to think a bit!' As they arrived at Aberdovev, the Berth crew spotted the Aberdovey lifeboat and went alongside.

Aberdovey crew told them where they thought Phil was. in an area too shallow for the Atlantic to operate. Phil had been spotted intermittently between the waves.

-,e» "" The seas around him * i were closer and more confused than they had been on passage, making it difficult to locate the man in the water. To make matters worse, Phil had lost his helmet and was floating low in the water.

As Amos entered the North Bank to start searching, the crew thought they had spotted Phil and headed south to investigate. Sadly, they turned out to be mistaken. Amos headed north again, turning west when he reached the line that they had originally been following. Almost immediately Martyn and Alex spotted Phil over to port.

'We knew that with these conditions and for his sake we had one chance to get him, haul him quickly into the boat and then just get out of there,' said Amos. Bringing him alongside on the port sponson, Alex grabbed hold of Phil and managed to pull him onto the sponson. Martyn joined him and, between the two of them, they managed to pull him into the lifeboat.

Just as Phil was safely in the boat, a large wave, topped with white water, crashed into the boat, forcing them north into the breaking seas. As Amos struggled for control, Martyn and Alex threw themselves onto the port sponson to stop the lifeboat from being capsized.

As soon as he got the boat under control, Amos headed straight for Aberdovey boathouse. 'Once Phil was in the boat, we turned towards Aberdovey and raced out of the surf,' Amos remembered. 'On the way in, it was good to be able to tell his crew that he was safe. We travelled as fast as possible to Aberdovey boathouse to pass Phil onto his anxiously waiting crew. A D class isn't the best place to administer first aid! Once he was in their hands, we knew his condition could only improve.' When they first picked him up, Phil was conscious and talking, but on the passage back to the boathouse he began to slip in and out of consciousness and he was unconscious by the time they reached the slipway. He was stretchered into the boathouse where trained station staff began to treat him for hypothermia.

An ambulance arrived within 10 minutes and the paramedics took over. When his lifejacket and drysuit were cut off, his body temperature was found to be just 25.2°C.

The rescue helicopter arrived shortly afterwards and Phil was airlifted to Bronglais Hospital at Aberystwyth, where he was rushed to intensive care. By the evening Phil was able to talk and receive visitors but he was kept in intensive care to watch for signs of secondary drowning. He was also found to have an injury to his back, with bruised and strained ligaments. By the following day he was feeling much better but hospital staff found a small amount of fluid in his left lung and he was kept in a further day for observation. After three days in hospital, he was discharged and has now made a full recovery.

'Many of the shouts I have been on in the summer are much shorter, involve less arduous conditions and aren 't so immediately critical. But we all train throughout the year for occasions such as this.

When I heard about the medal, I was dead chuffed. We knew we had done a good job that resulted in the saving of a fellow lifeboatman's life. But it means a lot that this service has been recognised by experienced seamen, and in such a public manner. It is an award for all the work Berth does. Not only is the boat one of the best... but so is the whole crew.' Helmsman Amos BewickRescue of Helmsman Phil Nichol B 1150 Aberdovey lifeboat loses man overboard A 1156 Borth's D class May heads for Aberdovey B 1216 Borth lifeboat arrives on scene C 1225 Phil Nicol recovered D 1256 Casualty landed at Aberdovey D 1305 Ambulance arrives D 1325 Helicopter arrives and transfers casualty to Bronglais hospital Weather conditions Wind southerly Force 7 2.3m very short, completely breaking seasThe Lifeboat Severn class lifeboat ON-1241 Ernest »nd Mary Shaw Bum 1999 Cost £1.8m Funding Gift from the estate of the late Ernest Shaw and his widow Mary Shaw Th»Cr«w Bronze Medal Coxswam John Stewart for his 'seamanship, leadership determination and personal courage' Joined ALB crew 1979 Deputy 2nd Coxswain 1985 2nd Coxswain 1992 Coxswain 1998 Occupation Solicitor Medal Service Certificates Depuiv 2nd Coxswain/Mechanic David CON Assistant Mechanic David Reid Crew Members Raymond Harvey Graham Flaws Stephen Scally Stephen McShannon Peter Reid John Hill Campbeltown Lifeboat Station Established 1861 Previous Medals Silver 1908. 1942. 1982 Bron;e 1942, 1946 Thanks on Vellum 1957.1982, 1988. 1995 The Casualty 12m fishing vessel Sincerity Crew TwoSix-hour service in horrific conditions to fishermen wrecked on rocks When the fishing vessel Sincerity went aground in stormy conditions off Ardlamont Point, the Campbeltown lifeboat had to travel 30 miles in total darkness just to reach the two men in peril. The crew had to work in extreme conditions in an area that they did not know well and in almost zero visibility. It was only thanks to their outstanding skill and courage that the two men were brought back safely.In the early evening of 29 November last year, fishermen Philip Rae and James Becket were at sea in the 12m fishing vessel Sincerity when a burst cooling water pipe caused total engine failure. With no power to battle against the raging seas, the boat was swept onto nearby rocks. The two men attempted to launch their liferaft but the violent winds ripped it out of their grasp, leaving only the painter attached to the boat. Unable to leave the stranded vessel, Philip went to radio for help, only to find that the vessel had been holed by the rocks and the engine room had flooded completely, leaving the VHP radio unworkable. Fortunately Philip's mobile phone was working despite the remote location and he was able to call for assistance.

The two closest lifeboat stations, Tignabruaich and Arran, both operate Atlantic 75s so were unable to launch in the appalling conditions that far exceeded their operating limits. The nearest allweather lifeboat with a Severn class lifeboat capable of tackling the conditions was Campbeltown. So the lifeboat was launched to start a 30 mile journey to the casualty. John Stewart, Campbeltown coxswain, remembered 'My first thought was that we would be recalled as I expected the crew to be taken off either by helicopter or by the Tignabruaich Atlantic.' A Sea King helicopter was launched but the extreme turbulence around Ardlamont Point meant that it couldn't stay on scene. Winching anyone up from the boat was completely unthinkable.

Fortunately, John's superb handling of the lifeboat meant that he was able to maintain an average speed of over 25 knots despite the complete darkness and reached the stranded boat just 1V2 hours after the first alert.

The Sincerity was firmly grounded on rocks 70m from the shore in the shelter of a small promontory. There are reefs extending across the whole bay, with water depths as little as 2-4m, As the Ernest and Mary Shaw arrived, the fishermen were sheltering behind the wheelhouse, trying to avoid the driving rain and spray. The Sincerity was listing to port and rolling as the seas passed beneath her. Visibility was down to just a few metres and John found it very difficult just to keep her in sight. The lifeboat's searchlights were trained on the boat, assisted by Dunoon and Kames Coastguard rescue teams, who shone searchlights from the shore.'I decided to attempt to pass a liferaft,' said John. 'However, the sea breaking on the reef, coupled with the strong wind, meant that the liferaft was simply swept away from the casualty.

Eventually, we had to cut it free. I then made two attempts to anchor the lifeboat and pass a line but the holding ground was poor and so the lifeboat dragged its anchor. By now an hour had passed and the situation of the two crew members was becoming critical.

'/ could see the two crewmen sheltering in the wheelhouse and knew that the lifeboat was their only hope of rescue.' Coxswain John Stewart The tide was rising and the Sincerity was being rolled heavily by the sea, which was breaking right over her. There was a danger of her rolling off the reef into deeper water and taking her crew with her. It was then that I decided to risk taking the lifeboat alongside the casualty. The rise and fall of the sea at that point was some 4m: at times we had less than 1 m of water under the keel as we manoeuvred alongside the casualty.' On the first two attempts, the lifeboat was unable to put alongside Sincerity because of the truly atrocious conditions. But, on the third attempt, John steered her bow close to the casualty's stern and James Becket was able to jump onto the lifeboat, where he was grabbed by waiting crew members. It took another three approaches before skipper Philip Rae was able to jump safely into the lifeboat as the seas crashed over her right up to the flying bridge. 'Each time we went alongside I was concerned that the lifeboat might be swept onto the reef and end up a casualty herself said John.

The power of the Severn was critical to the success of the rescue. It allowed the lifeboat to be held close to the casualty, on a lee shore, while the crew were taken off.'With the two men safely on board, John headed for nearby East Loch Tarbert, where they were put ashore into the care of the Coastguard.

The lifeboat crew then faced the 2V2 hour journey home to Campbeltown.

'In my 21 years in the boat it ranks as one of the most difficult services that I have been on and, certainly, it is the most difficult service that I have been on since I became coxswain.

I was very pleased that we got a good result- The crew train hard year m and year out and it was good to see all their hard work come together that night.' .* Coxswain John Stewart Rescue of the Sincerity 1821 Fishing vessel Sincerity requests assistance from Clyde Coastguard 1827 Coastguard requests RNU assistance A 1836 Ernest and Mary Shaw launched B 1955 Lifeboat reaches casualty B 2015 Attempt to pass a line using rocket B 2100 Decision to put alongside casualty C 2200 Survivors put ashore at East Loch Tarbert A 0035 Lifeboat arrives back at Campbeltown 0104 Lifeboat refuelled and ready for service Weather conditions Wind southwesterly Force 7-8 Steep 4-5m following sea swell Occasional ramsqualls Visibility less than 100mTh« Lifeboat Atlantic 21 lifeboal B-582 Borough of Sollhull Built: 1994 Cost £81,000 Funding Tha Borough ol Sollhull Lifeboat App.al Tha Craw Thank* of th« Institution on Vallum Helmsman Richard Hughet • ;• his 'excellent seamanship, sound boat handling and courage' Joined crew 1990 Occupation Flooring contractor Crew Member Simon Harrii for his 'brave and selfless action'.

Joined crew 1998 Occupation Jeweller Operation* Director'! Letter of Thank* Helicopter Pilot Squadron Leader Lee Calderwood Vellum Service Certlllcaiei Ctew Membe's Adrian Bannatt Tarance O'Neill Abarwch i i t c i i i . i t st.itM.n Establishes-1989 Closed 1931 Re-Opened 1965 Prevloui MidaIt Silver 1870, 1879 Thanks on Vellum 1972 The Casualty 14-year-otd Catherine Sharman and her dog. JetSaved by her dog's eyes When 14-year-old Catherine Sharman and her dog, Jet, became trapped on rocks by the tide, it proved difficult just to find her. Nightfall, driving rain, rough seas and strengthening winds all posed a challenge to the rescue teams but, as the Abersoch lifeboat searched along the coast to the west of Trwyn-Llech-y-doll, their searchlight caught the reflection of Jet's eyes in the darkness.1994 from Simon casualty At 7.20pm on 26 October 2000, Abersoch helmsman Richard 'Dick' Hughes was at the lifeboat station carrying out some routine maintenance, when the Coastguard reported a young girl missing at Forth Ceiriad, two miles southwest of the station. The station's Atlantic 21 lifeboat was quickly launched with four crew on board.

'Heavy seas and ever increasing winds were a hindrance even in the bay,' recalled Dick. Crew member Simon Harris added The wind and waves slowed us to half our daylight speed.' Despite the poor conditions, however, the lifeboat reached the scene in just nine minutes.

The Coastguard reported that cries for help had been heard to the west of Forth Ceiriad Bay and RAF rescue helicopter Rescue 122 from RAF Valley was alerted. Both teams searched the area, while the Coastguard attempted to locate the girl from the land.

The coastline was_ shrouded in darkness, with heavy rain, strong winds and turbulent seas. 'It was impossible to hear the girl's cries because of the wind and waves,' said Simon. The chances of finding her seemed slim, until the lifeboat's searchlight, operated by Adrian Bennett and Terry O'Neill, picked out two red eyes glowing in the light.

Catherine and Jet were clinging to a rock ledge that was almost completely submerged by the rising sea. With another hour to go until high water, it was vital to get them off as soon as possible.

The Sea King helicopter hovered over the scene, illuminating the area with its searchlight.

The number of rocks in the area, together with a dangerous reef, meant that the lifeboat could not get right up to where Catherine was trapped.

Simon suggested that he could swim through the rocks and look for obstructions. He then tied himself to the towline and entered the water.

He is an experienced swimmer and managed to swim the 15m to Catherine without any problems, although he was violently buffeted by the large waves and surf breaking over the rocks. He clambered up onto the rock ledge and found Catherine wet, cold and frightened, but uninjured. He then indicated to Dick the route he might take through the rocks.

'I was very concerned for the safety of the crew as we approached the cliff face in between the rocks,' said Dick, 'but Catherine was almost within arms reach and we had to do all we could to reachher.' As he positioned the lifeboat alongside the rock ledge, Simon helped Catherine to jump aboard. Simon then managed to pass Jet across to Adrian and Terry before jumping back into the lifeboat himself. 'It's a long drop if you jump at the wrong moment,' Simon remembered. 'We didn't jump at the wrong moment!' The lifeboat then travelled back to the station, where Catherine was checked by an ambulance crew and found to have suffered no injuries.'The crew showed great bravery and determination to rescue the girl. I am very honoured to receive this award and glad of the recognition for the station and crew.' Helmsman Dick Hughes The Lifeboat Mersey class lifeboat QN-1190 Doris Bltasdale Budt 1992 Cost £650,000 Funding Bequest of Miss Doris Bleasdale of Lancaster The Crew Thanhs of the Institution on Vellum Coxswain Noel Sharfcey for his 'cairn demonstration of skillful seamanship and boathandling in effecting the successful rescue of three people in gale force conditions grounded in a hazardous location' Joined crew 1991 Second Coxswain 1996 Coxswain 1997 Occupation Fisherman Operations Director's Letter of Thanks and Vellum Service Certificates Deputy Second Coxswain/Mechanic Padraig Rath Second Coxswain Barry Faulkner Second Mechanic Sean Reilly Cfew Members Gerald Sharkey Ronan Faulkner Lisa Levins Jamas Byrne Clogher Head Lifeboat Station Established 1899 Previous Medals I all awarded before the establishment of an RNLI station) Gold 1839 Silver 1826, 1837. 1852U2) 15m fishing vesse1 March Sod Crew ThreeThree saved as trawler is destroyed The coastline west of Port Oriel, on the east coast of Ireland, is extremely wild, with treacherous rocks to catch out the unwary sailor. So when the Clogher Head lifeboat was called out to a fishing trawler on 28 November 2000, the crew knew that it was not going to be an easy rescue.

Coxswain Noel Sharkey The March Sod had lost power and was adrift in Dundalk Bay in atrocious weather conditions. The lifeboat was launched quickly while the local Coastguard team tried to reach the stretch of coastline by land and a rescue helicopter was scrambled from Dublin. As the lifeboat made her way towards the casualty, the March Sod was driven onto the rocks and water started to flood in.

Padraig Rath, who was in charge of the radio, reassured the trawler's crew that the lifeboat was just minutes away and tried to help them remain calm, but as more water rushed into their vessel, they announced that they were going to try their luck in their liferaft. Padraig knew that they stood very little chance of escaping in a liferaft in such tempestuous seas and managed to persuade them to wait for the lifeboat to arrive.

Coxswain Noel Sharkey decided to try to place two of his crew on board March Sod with a salvage pump. They could then attempt to stem the influx of water while he towed the vessel to nearby Port Oriel. 'Before approaching the casualty for the first time, I was very concerned that the lifeboat may hit the rocks,' he recalled. This would have put my crew, and possibly the crew on the March Sod, in more danger.' The casualty was rolling violently in the waves as Noel edged the lifeboat through the outlying rocks. There was no way of seeing all the submerged obstructions but, thanks to Noel's remarkable knowledge of his local coastline, he was able to place the lifeboat alongside the casualty. Barry Faulkner and Sean Reilly quickly transferred to March Sod with the salvage pump and Noel then pulled back to a safe distance.

Barry and Sean managed to get the salvage pump working but it was not powerful enough to compete with the water pouring in. The violent rolling of the vessel made it impossible to examination revealed that the trawler was so badly damaged that the pump would prove fruitless anyway. Her wooded hull was being smashed away by the rocks and the flow of water had become a torrent. It was time to abandon ship.

The rescue helicopter had arrived and stood by as Noel again took the lifeboat in amongst the rocks. As he pulled alongside the battered trawler, her crew were quickly transferred onto the lifeboat, followed by the salvage pump, Barry and Sean. As soon as everyone was safely on board, Noel headed for safety.

The crew were landed at Port Oriel, shaken but uninjured. By the following morning the March Sod had disappeared, completely destroyed by the turbulent seas.

'/ was very proud of myself, the crew and everybody at the lifeboat station,' Coxswain Noel Sharkey *& Rescue of the March Sod 2035 Mayday received from March Sod A 2045 Don's Bleasdale launched on service B 2055 Lifeboat reaches casualty B 2103 Two crew members board casualty B 2117 All crew safely transferred to lifeboat C 2124 Crew landed at Port Oriel Weather conditions Near Gale Force 7 south south easterly winds gusting Gale/Strong Gale Force 8-9 3m turbulent swell Visibility moderate to poor Low cloud cover and driving ramFishermen stranded by engine failure There are many situations that a lifeboat coxswain does not look forward to.

Bad weather, manoeuvring with boats close together, towing a heavy, unwieldy vessel, waiting at sea for the tide to turn. On 13 December last year, the crew of the Workington lifeboat were faced with all of these problems.

The Coastguard had reported a 65m vessel disabled eight miles offshore. 'Thankfully they had made an error,' Workington coxswain John Stobbart laughed. 'It turned out the casualty was 65 feet not 65m, which made life a little easier!' The lifeboat was launched and, as it made its way out of the harbour, it was hit by the full power of the Violent Storm Force 11, westerly winds.

John was forced to make constant adjustments simply to make headway in the atrocious weather.

The lifeboat also had to pass over the Workington and Three Fathom Banks, where large, breaking seas threatened to engulf the lifeboat. Thankfully there was a lot of moonlight, which meant we could see what was coming at us and take the necessary action,' remembered John.

When they reached the casualty, John decided to attach a tow and time the return to Workington to coincide with sufficient water over the bar. John skillfully took the lifeboat close to the casualty and Richard Matear threw a heaving line aboard. When the tow was fast, John headed south west, increasing the distance from Three Fathom Bank and putting the weather to starboard, thus easing the motion for the two boats. At 6.05, he came about and headed back to Workington.As the two boats returned over the bar, a particularly large set of breaking waves parted the tow. The crew reconnected the tow but, shortly after, it parted again. Finally, with the help of the trawler's skipper, the tow was made safe. Their difficulties were not over, however. As the seas worsened again, the casualty veered sharply to starboard, ripping out the after fairlead and damaging the rails.

Despite this, the lifeboat continued the tow, only to be told by honorary secretary Bob Mclaughlin that there was insufficient water for them to enter the harbour. John turned both boats to help minimise the effects of the weather and waited over an hour, until the waters had risen enough for them to continue safely into the harbour.

'It is nice to have recognition for the Workington station and alt its personnel,' Coxswain John StobbartRescue 0315 0335 0435 0500 0655 0745 0920 0945 of the Siskin Siskin requests immediate assistance Sir John Fisher launched Lifeboat reaches casually Tow made fast Tow parts Casualty damaged in steep breaking seas Sufficient water to enter harbour Casualty made safe in harbour Weather conditions Westerly winds Violent Storm Force 11 64-75mph 8-1 Om breaking seas Clear moonlight Three Fathom* BankThe Lifeboat Tvne class lifeboav ON-1141 Sir John Fishtr Built 1989 On station 1992 Cost £600.000 Funding Gilt from the Sir John Fisher Foundation.

bequests of Frances Elizabeth Jackson and Mabel Annie Young, other gifts and general funds.

The Crew Thanhs of the Institution on Vellum oxswain John Stobbart for his 'seamanship, boathandling skill and determination' Joined crew: 1987 Second Coxswain 1991 Coxswain. 1994 Occupation Building and civil en gin oering contractor Chief Executive's Letter of Appreciation and Vellum Service Certificates Second Coxswain Alan Ferris Mechanic Wilson Matear Deputy Second Coxswain John Harm Crew Members John Thompson Richard Matear Laurence Murray Workinglon Liteboal Stalum Established 1886 Closed 1905-48 Previous Medal Bronze 1974 The Casualty 20m motor fisning vessel Siskin Crew ThreeEarly warning saves three The eagle eyes and quick thinking of RNLI tractor driver Philip Eaglen helped to ensure that a father and his two sons were rescued before it was too late.

At 3.30pm on 2 September 2000, Philip was at the lifeboat station when he noticed a small yacht in difficulty. It see.med to be trying to return to harbour although there was insufficient water over the bar.

Philip alerted coxswain/mechanic Allen Frary, who contacted Richard Cracknell, the honorary secretary, and it was decided to launch the station's ILB to escort the yacht home once the water level had risen sufficiently. 'The Candy had already grounded inside the surf line west of harbour,' explained Allen, 'and with north-westerly winds increasing and a flood tide I knew conditions would deteriorate... He was going to find it difficult to enter the harbour.' The yacht was powered by a small outboard motor that lacked the power to cope with the conditions, leaving the vessel close to being overwhelmed.

Second coxswain Bob Smith, who was acting helmsman, recalled 'When we reached thecasualty, Mr Kirkham was in the cockpit steering and there were two worried little faces peering out of the cabin window. It was a sobering thought knowing they were relying on us.' The weather was too bad for them to attempt a tow and Bob requested the launch of the station's ALB.

By the time the ALB arrived on scene, it was apparent that the children had been overcome by fear and it was decided to transfer them onto the ALB, using the ILB.

Bob skillfully went alongside the yacht and the crew quickly recovered the children. He then transferred crew members Gary Wright and Alfie Smith onto the casualty to help secure a tow.With the tow secure, the vessels started to make their way back. The appalling conditions meant they rolled and pitched violently, making conditions on board very unpleasant indeed.

Man overboard As the boats entered the relative shelter of the harbour, a totally unexpected and unusually large wave swept through the yacht, laying it flat and sweeping Mr Kirkham overboard. 'The sea came from nowhere,' said Allen. 'It just shows you should never take anything for granted.' The ALB crew quickly located him with their searchlights and the ILB was able to recover him in textbook manner. The ILB then took him directly to the boathouse, shaken but none the worse for his sudden and unexpected dip. The ALB completed the tow and delivered the two boys to their father, where they were treated for shock and hypothermia. 'They had been taken into the crew room for a hot drink and to get warm,' Allen commented with a grin. 'After the ALB had been rehoused I went aboard and got two Mars bars for the children, who said they were going to save them.' Bob Smith added 'After this service, which had such a positive outcome, I was reminded why we all do it. I was pleased to received the Award, as Wells has a small community in which the lifeboat plays a large part.' Wells lifeboat station is featured in the Summer issue of Offshore News - the RNL1 publication for Offshore members.

If you would like more information about Offshore, please ne the supporter services helpdesk on 01202 663234. ! • ! I Mersey class lifeboat ON-' 161 Doris M Minn of Ampthill Built 1990 Cost £+55.000 Funding From the bequest ol Miss Doris May Mann of Ampthill D class lifeboat D-512 Jane Ann II Built 1996 Cost En.500 Funding Gift of Mrs Jan Branford of Sudbury. Suffolk The Crew Thanks of the Institution on Vallum Coxswain/mechanic Alltn Frary 'o' his 'courage, skill, determination and initiative'.

Joined crew 1976 Second Coxswain 1989 Cow wain/Mechanic 1997 Occupation Full-time RNLI coxswain/mechanic Second Coxswain/D class helmsman Bob Smith for his 'courage, skill and determination while in command of the station D class' Joined crew 1986 Second coxswain. 1997 Occupation Deputy harbourmaster Operations Director's Letter of Thanks Tractor mechanic Philip Eaglen *oi his 'vigilance and subsequent actions which resulted in early notification of the incident' Vallum Service Certificates Assistant Mechanic Michael Frary ALB Crew Members Alfred Smith Nicholas King Jason Walker Mark White Alan Platten Kevin Parr ILB Crew Members Gary Wright Martin Emerson Wells LHoboal Station Established 1869 Weils Lifeboat Disaster 1880 The lifeboat capsized on 29 October with the loss of 11 crew members Previous Medals Silver 1979 Bronze 1963, 1982 Thanks on Vellum 1942.1955, 1964. 1971, 1973 ( I . , i ,. ,i n .

5m sloop Candy Crew Alan Kirkham and sons Tom (91 and Silly 17).