NAVY NEWS, NOVEMBER 1998 Options
9
People in the News
Naval officer is top student THE TOP student on the first Joint Service Advanced Command and Staff course at Bracknell is the Navy's Cdr Martin Ewence. The 11-month course was attended by 325 officers from all three Services and was the first to replace the three single -Service staff courses formerly held at RNC Greenwich, Camberley and Bracknell, and the Joint Service Defence Course at Greenwich.
• Best all-round student at Bracknell, Cdr Martin Ewence
Daring rescue earns award A
IRMEN from Culdrose who risked their lives to save a dozen Spanish sailors after their ship sank in a violent storm have won three awards for their courage, professionalism and teamwork. In early February this year, three Sea King helicopters from 810 Sea Flight were embarked in RFA Argus when the ship intercepted a radio message stating that a ship had sunk 200 miles West of Lisbon. The Spanish container vessel Delfm Del Mediterraneo had gone down in one of the severest Atlantic gales of the year and 14 people were adrift in life rafts. The severity of the weather had already forced flying from Argus to be suspended, and Spanish and Portuguese authorities were reluctant to launch a rescue operation for the same reason. But with so many lives in such serious peril, the squadron decided to attempt a rescue. The first two helicopters were launched at 6.45pm and reached the scene at 8pm. Conditions were even worse than those forecast, with a severe electric storm, driving rain, winds gusting up to 65 knots and 60ft seas. The crews repeatedly winched the seamen to safety, but when CPO Airman Philip Davies was seriously injured, one of the helicopters was forced to return to Argus with the first three survivors. In the meantime, a third helicopter was launched to continue the task of rescuing survivors from the rafts which were tossing vio-
lently in the heavy swell. Lt Cdr Clive Rawson, Flight Commander of 810 NAS Sea Flight said: "The conditions on the night were extremely testing and like none which anyone had experienced before. They placed exceptional demands on all the crews, some of whom had been airborne for almost eight hours. "Although all aircrew are trained in search and rescue techniques none of those taking part were experts in this field. "All of those involved demonstrated an outstanding level of professionalism, tenacity and courage, and in spite of what appeared to be insurmountable odds, they persevered, recovering 12 survivors (and one body) before being forced to rest." A lucky 13th survivor was picked up 17 hours later by a Lynx from the Dutch ship Tromp. Since then, the daring rescue by 810 NAS has earned the squadron The Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award frgm the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators, the Green Endorsement from FONA,
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and the Portuguese Navy's Medalha de Couragem, Abnegacao e Humanicide, Gru Praia, a medal for courage, sacrifice and humanity.
• Portuguese Defence Attache Capt Joachim Mendonca presents the medal to 810 NAS Sea Flight's Lt Cdr Clive Rawson. The flight also received The Green Endorsement from Rear Admiral Terry Loughran, the highest honour Flag Officer Naval Aviation can bestow.
• 810 NAS Sea Flight: Left - Lts John Brotherton, Mike Sullen, Gary Milton, CPO Phil Davies, Lt Kevin Dodd, PO Steve Elsbyand LA Kevin Monk. Centre - Lt Cdr Rawson, Lts Martin Brooman, Craig Finch, LA Mike Weston and Lt Tim Oatley, and right - Lt Cdr Nell Hunter, Lts Max Harris and Martin Roberts, CPO John Banks and PO Steve Mil.
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