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Search forCeremony pays tribute to crew's heroism
Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 09:54
Devon's Lord Lieutenant, Eric Dancer, Royal Navy representative Commander Peter Sparkes and Torbay Council chairman Cllr Michael Hytche were among the VIP guests.
At the Berry Head Hotel ceremony, the Brixham crew's heroic efforts were rewarded with the RNLI's official Thanks on Vellum.
The certificates were awarded to second coxswain Roger Good, deputy second John Ashford, mechanic Matthew Tyler, second mechanic Nigel Coulton, and crew members Darryl Farley and Alex Rowe.
Each framed certificate was personally signed by the RNLI president, the Duke of Kent.
A seventh certificate was awarded jointly to the crew of the Coastguard helicopter India Juliet who had earlier winched off 12 men from the scene, 35 miles off Start Point.
All 20 seamen, employed by a Greek timber shipping company, were safely rescued on the night of January 13 and reunited in Brixham before being repatriated to Greece and the Phillipines.
The Portland helicopter crew comprised Capt Kevin Balls, Senior Officer Glen Stacey, winch operator Roy Holder and winchman Gary Mitchell.
Torbay coxswain Mark Criddle has already been presented with the RNLI's silver medal by the Duchess of Cornwall earlier this year at a London awards night, for his part in leading the Brixham crew.
It was the highest award for any RNLI coxswain in the previous 12 months.
He was praised for his outstanding seamanship and courage in making 50 approaches to the stricken cargo vessel as the last eight crew leaped one by one to safety, including Captain Arvinitis Charalampos.
The lifeboat Alec and Christina Dykes sustained some hull damage as the 6,500 tonne Ice Prince smashed down on the bow.
Dangerous conditions on the night were described by Commander Sparkes of HMS Cumberland who said the crew's gallantry and the seamanship of its coxswain were the finest he'd ever seen from a lifeboat in a long Navy career.
The RN frigate was one of the first on the scene and Commander Sparkes watched the whole drama unfold.
He told the 200-strong audience that his own vessel was rolling 35 degrees in the gale force winds and heavy seas, which had caused the Ice Prince's timber deck cargo to shift and send her listing without power.
He also praised the Brixham Coastguard co-ordinators and the crew of the Salcombe lifeboat which had stood by in a secondary safety role.
Torbay operations manager David Ham said: "It was a great night and the praise was thoroughly deserved.
"There has only been one previous rescue to earn the Thanks on Vellum.
"Several years ago the crew of the inshore lifeboat saved two teenagers from a flooded cave at Roundham, so this is an important occasion for everyone at the station."
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