Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI crew receive Lifesaving Operations Director Commendation
At Berwick-upon-Tweed, six RNLI crew members were given a surprise on Wednesday 30 August 2023 when they turned up for their regular voluntary training night.
In attendance was RNLI Head of Region North and East, Ross Barraclough.
Ross firstly thanked all the crew for all the patience and support since the loss of the station's Mersey class all-weather lifeboat* and the taking on of the Atlantic 85 lifeboat and their ongoing commitment to saving lives at sea.
Ross then went on to present, Coxswain Robert Frost, Mechanic Phil Paterson, Crew Amy Faragher, Jack Laing, Ryan Dalrymple and William Lowe, with a special award the: ‘Lifesaving Operations Director Commendation’.
This award was presented to these crew members who risked their lives earlier this year, to go out on the Mersey all-weather lifeboat, to a casualty who was very distressed out in the water at sea.
On the day, two crew members Amy Faragher and Jack Laing, were kitted up into dry suits, then both lowered over the side of the Mersey lifeboat by other crew members, so they could swim towards the very distressed casualty and bring them back up to awaiting crew safely.
The Commendation Award from the Lifesaving Operations Director John Payne reads:
‘On behalf of the RNLI I would like to express my sincere thanks for your dedication and service to Berwick-upon-Tweed Lifeboat Station.
I would specifically like to acknowledge your role as a crew of the Mersey class lifeboat RNLB Joy and Charles Beeby during service on 5 April 2023 when you went to the aid of a distressed person swimming off Spittal beach.
Working as a team, with commendable professionalism you approached the casualty and conducted a dignified and compassionate rescue, before passing them into the care of the emergency services. One life was saved.
Your on going determination to saving lives at sea is greatly appreciated.
With my personal thanks, John Payne.’
RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, Kevin Knox, said: 'Well done all of you from all of us at Berwick-upon-Tweed lifeboat station, you did our station proud.'
Notes to editors
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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