SIX crew members from New Quay will each receive a letter of thanks from the RNLI Chairman for battling heavy seas to answer a Mayday call to an ocean-going rowing boat in difficulty during Storm Arwen.

The news of the awards comes almost a year to the day the storm caused havoc around the UK coastline.

Coxswain Dan Potter, full-time mechanic Bernie Davies, navigator Simon Rigby and crew members on the day Rees-Tom Jones, Dylan Price and Huw Williams will all receive the accolade for their seamanship, resilience, determination and courage in rescuing three people from the vessel.

The casualties – an Irish rowing team – have since returned to the station and thanked their rescuers, as well as making a donation.

The all-weather lifeboat was launched just after 8am on November 26, 2021 following reports that that the rowing boat had put out the highest emergency distress call 18 miles north-west of New Quay.

The casualty vessel was a one tonne 8.5 metre R45 Elite rowing boat, which had set off from Ireland for Aberystwyth earlier that day.

One crew member onboard the rowing boat had suffered a head injury, and was evacuated by Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 936, to be taken to hospital for medical attention. New Quay lifeboat launched in force 8 to 9 winds from the northwest into rough seas.

They arrived to find the rowing boat semi-submerged, listing at approximately 90 degrees, with three people onboard.

RNLI volunteer crew member Rigby clipped onto the rail and leaned over the side of the lifeboat.

Two casualties started to swim towards the lifeboat and were quickly pulled aboard.

The third casualty, struggling to swim, had failed to inflate his life jacket and was disappearing beneath the water.

Crewman Rigby was able to grab him until other crew on deck pulled him onto the lifeboat.

Roger Couch, Lifeboat Operations Manager at New Quay said, “Sometimes rescues stick in your mind and this was one of them.

“I couldn’t be prouder that the RNLI agreed that the crew should be recognised for their skill, courage and bravery during this most challenging rescue.”

The awards will be presented at a later date.