Presentation Of Bravery Awards to Abersoch Lifeboat Crew: (24/09/01)
4 crew members of Abersoch Lifeboat were presented with bravery awards at a presentation evening at SCYC on Friday evening. Catherine Sharman presented Helsman Richard Hughes and crew member Simon Harris with the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum for the rescue of her and her dog Jet, on 26th October, 2000. Crew members Adrian Bennett and Terry O'Neil also received vellum service certificates for their role in the rescue. For background to the story - read the story of the rescue below...

"Saved By her dog's eyes": From Lifeboat Magazine - Summer 2001.

When 14-year-old Catherine Sharman and her dog, Jet, became trapped on rocks by the tide, it proved difficult just to find her. Nightfall, driving rain, rough seas and strengthening winds all posed a challenge to the rescue teams but, as the Abersoch Lifeboat searched all along the coast to the west of Trwyn-Llech-doll, their searchlight caught the reflection of Jet's eyes in the darkness...

At 7.20pm on 26 October 2000, Abersoch helmsman Richard "Dic" Hughes was at the lifeboat station carrying out routine maintenance, when the coastguard reported a young girl missing at Porth Ceiriad, two miles southwest of the station. The station's Atlantic 21 lifeboat was quickly launched with 4 crew on board. "Heavy seas and ever increasing winds were a hinderance even in the bay", recalled Dic. Crew member Simon Harris added "The wind and waves slowed us to half our daylight speed". Despite the conditions, the lifeboat reached the scene in just nine minutes.

The Coastguard reported that cries for help had been heard to the west of Port Ceiriad Bay and RAF rescue helicopter Rescue 122 from RAF Valley was alerted. Both teams searched the area while the Coastguard attempted to locate the girl from the land.

The coastline was shrouded in darkness, with heavy rain, strong winds and turbulent seas. "It was impossible to hear the girl's cries because of the the wind and waves", said Simon. The chances of finding her seemed slim, until the lifeboat's searchlight, operated by Adrian Bennett and Terry O'Neill, picked out two red eyes glowing in the light.

Catherine and Jet were clinging to a rock ledge that was almost completely submerged by the rising sea. With another hour to go until high water, it was vital to get them off as soon as possible.

The Sea King helicopter hovered over the scene, illuminating the area with its searchlight. The number of rocks in the area , together with a dangerous reef, meant that the lifeboat could not get right up to where Catherine was trapped.

Simon suggested that he could swim through the rocks and look for obstructions. He then tied himself to the towline and entered the water. He is an experienced swimmer and managed to swim the 15m to Catherine without any problems, although he was violently buffeted by the large waves and surf breaking over the rocks. He clambered onto the rock ledge and found Catherine wet, cold and frightened, but uninjured. He then indicated to Dic the route he might take through the rocks.
"I was very concerned for the safety of the crew as we approached the cliff face in between the rocks", said Dic, "but Catherine was almost within arms reach and we had to do all we could to reach her". As he positioned the lifeboat alongside the rock ledge, Simon helped Catherine to jump aboard. Simon then managed to pass Jet across to Adrian and Terry before jumping back into the boat himself. " Its a long drop if you jump at the wrong moment", remembered Simon, "We didn't jump at the wrong moment!"

The lifeboat then travelled back to the station, where Catherine was checked by an ambulance crew and found to have suffered no injuries.

Further Notes:
- The pilot of the helicopter - Squadron Leader Lee Calderwood received a letter of thanks from RNLI HQ. He also wrote a letter commending the actions of the Abersoch Crew.

- The RNLI is funded entirely by voluntary contribution. All its crew members are volunteers.

- The lifeboat can be viewed by the public at the Abersoch boathouse every Thursday evening from 6.30pm. There is also a souvenir shop.

- Abersoch RNLI have a website at www.rnliabersoch.co.uk and the RNLI itself at www.rnli.org.uk.