Lifeboat crew receive awards for West Wittering rescue

Sunday, 27 February 2022 08:42

By V2 Radio News Team

All seven crew received RNLI Awards for their bravery, skill and determination yesterday (26th February).

On 28 June 2020 three men were rescued from the sandbanks off West Wittering Beach. In the morning they ran aground in their newly acquired yacht and then as the tide dropped they left the yacht.

Later that day they returned and the boat floated but they were then caught in a strong SW wind with breaking waves in shallow water.

Both Hayling Lifeboats were called out and reached the yacht, by this time in a very dangerous situation. With huge courage a crewmember leapt across onto the yacht 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.

Andrew Ferguson and Daniel Macpherson received 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 received 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’ were also awarded to D class crew Jack Anson and Atlantic 85 crew Sharon Swan, Elly Briggs and Thomas Lincoln.

The Awards Ceremony took place at Hayling Island Sailing Club, Bracklesham Road, Hayling, where Mark Dowie, Chief Executive of the RNLI presented the awards.

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