Lifeboat crew to receive awards for West Wittering rescue
All seven crew are to receive RNLI Awards for their bravery, skill and determination
Seven volunteer crew members at Hayling Lifeboat Station are to receive RNLI awards for their courage in rescuing three people off West Wittering Beach.
The rescue took place in June 2020 after severe winds ran a yacht ashore.
Both lifeboats from Hayling Island were called out and reached the yacht and a crewmember leapt across onto the vessel and found 3 frightened casualties with no lifejackets and no other safety equipment.
The conditions were too dangerous to get the crew off so with great skill the lifeboats established a tow and took the yacht and causalities to safe harbour.
All seven crew are to receive RNLI Awards for their bravery, skill and determination:
Andrew Ferguson and Daniel Macpherson will receive the ‘Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum’ for their courage, determination, decision making skills and boat handling skills.
D class crew Lloyd Pepperell will also receive the ‘Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum’ for ‘his extreme selflessness and courage as well as stamina when boarding and acting independently on the casualty vessel’.
For their courage and teamwork during the service ‘Vellum service certificates’ will also be award to D class crew Jack Anson and Atlantic 85 crew Sharon Swan, Elly Briggs and Thomas Lincoln.