A Naval air squadron rescue crew from Culdrose has been recognised at a national awards ceremony, held by the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, for their outstanding skill and gallantry in the dramatic double rescue of two injured fishermen.

The crew of 'Rescue 193' from 771 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Culdrose, has been awarded the Edward and Maisie Lewis Award at the society’s annual Skill and Gallantry Awards ceremony after battling treacherous conditions during a double rescue from two different ships last November.

They first went to assistance of the Irish fishing vessel Patrick after she reported an injured crewman requiring urgent evacuation after his arm was crushed in the vessel’s hydraulic winch.

The aircraft departed in darkness with broken cloud and while initially sea conditions seemed relatively calm once further out to sea it quickly became apparent that conditions were deteriorating rapidly.

The crew, Lt Cdr Steven Hopkins, pilot and aircraft commander; Lt Philip Ross, second pilot; Lt Jason Sawyer, observer; and CPO aircrewman Mark Shaw, winchman; quickly made contact with the skipper and after many difficult attempts, the winchman was able to land on the vessel and retrieve the injured fisherman.

Having secured the first casualty the crew switched their focus to a second injured fisherman onboard the French fishing vessel Le Nautile approximately 50 nautical miles from the first rescue position.

‘Rescue 193’ proceeded to the Le Nautile’s reported position and eventually established communications and the skipper where the crew were able to quickly drop their winchman onto the deck of the vessel. The second casualty had a hand injury and given the worsening sea conditions the decision was made to carry out a double lift recovery. The aircraft left the scene and delivered both casualties to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.

The society’s national Skill and Gallantry Awards, now in their 165th year, were presented at Fishmongers Hall by its president, Admiral Sir George Zemballes.

Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society chief executive, Commodore Malcolm Williams, said: “Once more we are awed by the selflessness and bravery of our award winners. Seafaring remains one of the most dangerous peacetime occupations and the courage and bravery of rescue crews and individuals are still very much relied upon when things go wrong and an emergency situation arises. Both rescues were carried out with great skill and cool professionalism by a highly efficient team in testing conditions. They are worthy winners of this year’s Edward and Maisie Lewis award.”