From the left: Alderney lifeboat crew member Dean Geran, RNLI chairman Admiral Sir Jock Slater, deputy coxswain Steve Wright and coxswain Declan Gaudion. (0586240)
SEVEN lifeboat volunteers from Alderney have been awarded special certificates for rescuing two men and a dog in perilous weather conditions.
Crew members Declan Gaudion, Steve Wright, Dean Geran, Paul Fairclough, Brian Frost, Mark Gaudion and Victoria McAllister were each given an award at a ceremony attended by Sir Jock Slater, chairman of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The daring rescue of Southampton men George Manse and Kevin Payne, as well as their dog Daisy, took place 12 miles off Alderney on 4 July last year.
Rescue coordinators in France and Guernsey received an SOS shortly after midnight and coxswain Mr Gaudion launched Alderney’s Trent class lifeboat Roy Barker I at 12.15am. Alderney’s crew had to battle force eight gales but eventually tracked down Abundance, a motor fishing vessel, and immediately attempted to pump water from the boat.
Unfortunately the crew was unable to save the stricken vessel, so deputy cox Mr Wright and crew member Mr Geran bravely decided to board the boat to save those on board.
At the ceremony at the Georgian House, Sir Jock praised the crew.
He said: ‘It was a textbook example of the professionalism and dedication of lifeboat volunteers.’
Mr Gaudion, Mr Wright and Mr Geran each received a Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum. The four other crew members were awarded Vellum Service Certificates.
Article posted on 11th June, 2008 - 1.00pm
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