Two engineers at RNAS Culdrose, Helston, whose ingenuity saved the Royal Navy £500,000 have been presented with the "Gems" award. Chief Petty Officer Paul Breen and Petty Officer Simon Green noticed that as part of the routine maintenance for the Merlin helicopter an item had to be sent to Italy for servicing. Every time this happened it cost £8,000, as well as leaving the item, part of the main rotor assembly, unavailable for lengthy periods of time. The two men responded by designing and manufacturing the necessary tools to allow them to do the job themselves on site. In recognition of their efforts they were presented with the awards by Captain Paul Thicknesse, commanding officer of Culdrose.