Lifeboat crew praised for daring rescue (From Western Telegraph)

Lifeboat crew praised for daring rescue

The bravery of a helmsman and crew of Cardigan's B class inshore lifeboat in saving the lives of four men have been recognised by the RNLI.

Dyfrig Brown, aged 35, helmsman of the Tanni Grey is to be accorded the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum.

The award is in recognition of the great boat handling skills he demonstrated in rescuing three men cut off by a rising tide at Aberporth.

The rescue crewmen are also to receive awards.

Senior helmsman Len Walters, 41, and crew members Daniel Rogers, 24, and Lynne Fischer, 35, will receive Vellum Service Certificates and a letter of appreciation from RNLI chief executive Andrew Freemantle.

Senior helmsman Walters will also receive a letter from RNLI operations director Michael Vlasto, praising his leadership skills, and his decision to remain in the capacity of crew member, allowing helmsman Dyfrig Brown to take command of the lifeboat.

Just after 7pm on August 30th last year, the RNLI lifeboat was launched following a request from Milford Haven Coastguard. They were told that three people were stranded on a rock, about 100 metres from the shore, and a fourth was in the water swimming towards the rock.

Crewman Walters advised helmsman Brown to approach from the seaward side, although the lifeboat would be running down sea on to dangerous rocks.

After several attempts and with large waves washing through the lifeboat, Crewman Rogers managed to bring three people over the bow.

At 7.30pm, Crewman Walters requested a rescue helicopter to help the fourth person and the lifeboat provided cover while this person was winched to safety.

Andy Hurley, RNLI training inspector for the West Division, said: "These four people were in grave and imminent danger, and the actions of the lifeboat crew undoubtedly saved three of them. Helmsman Brown demonstrated great boat handing skill in safely manoeuvring the lifeboat within a few feet of the dangerous rock pinnacle."