CARDIGAN RNLI lifeboat station team has been shortlisted for a St David Award in recognition of a dramatic night-time rescue.
Derek Pusey, Leonard Walters and Clive Williams of Cardigan RNLI have been nominated for a bravery award for their roles in a rescue near Tresaith, Ceredigion in September 2013.
Helmsmen Pusey and Walters and Volunteer Crewman Williams risked their lives to save two men stranded on a ledge among steep rocks on the West Wales coast.
The men were cut off by the tide and in danger of being swept out to sea from the base of a cliff on the beach at Tresaith.
Cardigan RNLI launched two lifeboats to go to the aid of the men. Helmsman Leonard Walters steered the larger of the vessels as close to the cliffs as possible during rough seas and gusting winds.
But unable to get close enough, Clive Williams volunteered to swim through the choppy waters in order to reach the pair. He reached the rocky shoreline where he was knocked off his feet several times by powerful waves before he managed to reach the stranded people.
Mr Williams handed them life jackets as they waited for the smaller of the two lifeboats, steered by Derek Pusey, to reach them. It took four attempts, including one which threw the lifeboat towards the rocks, but Mr Pusey managed to get the boat close enough to reach the pair.
The men were transferred to the larger boat and both crews returned to shore. The three men involved in this rescue have since been commended by the RNLI for their courage that evening.
The finalists in the 2015, St David Awards have been announced by First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones.
The awards, now in their second year, acknowledge the extraordinary achievements of people in Wales. They were created to recognise the great deeds and contributions made by people from all walks of life.
Finalists this year include elite sportspeople; heroes; inventors; innovators; entertainers; ambassadors for Wales and those who put other people’s needs before their own with their charity and volunteer work.
The First Minister announced the finalists at a special event at the Wales Millennium Centre sponsored by one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations HSBC and communication experts Golley Slater.
First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said: “This year’s St David Awards finalists are an exceptional group of people from all walks of life. They’re a credit to the nation and are all fully deserving of recognition.
“I know that Lord Rowe-Beddoe and the other judges had a tough time in selecting the finalists and choosing a winner from these excellent nominees is going to be a real challenge, such are their outstanding achievements.
“I look forward to celebrating their accomplishments at the main awards ceremony in March and thank all of today’s finalists for their contributions to Welsh life and society.”
The award categories are Bravery, Citizenship, Culture, Enterprise, Innovation and Technology, International, Sport, Young Person and the First Minister’s Special Award.
Add Comment