Arbroath and Montrose RNLI volunteer crew receive Meritorious Service Awards
The volunteer lifeboat crew from Arbroath and Montrose RNLI in Scotland have been awarded a Marine Meritorious Service Medal.
The award in recognition of the crew’s rapid response, professionalism and skill in saving lives during Storm Arwen in November 2021.
Scott Murray, Kev Mcbay, Ryan Duncan, Graham Littlejohn, Graeme Cowie and Grant Howie were awarded at Montrose RNLI.
And Sam Clow, Michael Marr, Peter Willis, Jack Fraser, Rod McLean and Kyle Bailey were recognised at Arbroath RNLI.
Arbroath and Montrose’s All-weather lifeboats were requested to launch on 26 November 2021 into storm Arwen to assist a ship in danger of running aground.
The 82-metre coaster motor vessel was dragging its anchor and in danger of going aground at the south end of Lunan Bay.
The volunteer crews battled extremely challenging weather conditions, with 6-metre seas and winds gusting force 10/11.
Scott Murray, Coxswain Mechanic at Montrose RNLI, says: ‘Myself and the crew faced extremely challenging conditions during the shout, I would personally like to thank the crew for their assistance during the service and we feel incredibly honoured to have received these awards.
‘RNLI crew do not do this for the recognition. However, to be awarded in this way by the organisation really does fill me with an immense sense of pride for the volunteer crew’
Michael Marr, Coxswain at Arbroath RNLI, says: ‘It’s a great honour to be presented with the Chief Executives Commendation. It’s also great tribute to the immense bravery and selflessness of the crew, who did an outstanding job in very challenging conditions. It is a night that won’t be long forgotten by all involved.
‘The commendation is real testament to all at Arbroath and Montrose lifeboat stations, from the crews on the boats, to the launch crew, to the launching authorities and to the fundraisers. Without the team effort from everyone involved no shout would be possible, let alone challenging ones such as this. We thank the families of our crew too, who always support us and are left at home worrying about what their loved one is facing.
He adds: ‘Thanks also to the RNLI staff who help support and train our crews, maintain our boats, and ensure that we are able to respond to save lives in what can be the most trying conditions.’
ENDS
Notes to editors
· Arbroath RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 1803. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/arbroath-lifeboat-station
· Montrose RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 1800. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/montrose-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
Rod McLean, Lifeboat Press Officer at Arbroath RNLI, [email protected]
Jim Strachan, Lifeboat Press Officer at Montrose RNLI, [email protected]
Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
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