A St Davids RNLI volunteer has been awarded a prize in the charity's Photographer of the Year competition, announced today (Friday) at the London International Boat Show.

The lifesaving work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution was captured by Matthew Cox, a crew member at St Davids lifeboat station.

Matt was crowned runner up in the rescues category of the competition with his picture of the St Davids inshore lifeboat going to the aid of a fishing boat in strong tides. "A local fishing boat had hit a submerged rock and got stuck on it," said Matt.

"Because the tides in that area around the south end of Ramsey Island are horrendous, we sent in the inshore lifeboat to take the casualties off before assessing the situation.

"Once they were off safely we sorted a tow out with the all-weather lifeboat and took them back to harbour."

He added: "I was amazed to come runner up. I'm not a photographer and don't own a camera, but on that day the mechanic gave me his camera and I just snapped away."

Eleanor Driscoll, RNLI Film and Image Manager, and head judge of the competition said: "This picture shows a rescue as it's happening. Our volunteer crews respond to anyone, whether it's people who are at sea to earn a living like this fisherman, or those on the water for fun."