I hereby Commend

Mark Hunter & Wayne Armstrong

Auxiliary Coastguards

Scarborough Coastguard Response Team

for

Meritorious Service

For their part in the rescue of the crew of the Scarborough Inshore Lifeboat on 9 January 1999

Whilst preparing to commence a preventative patrol, Auxiliary Coastguards, Mark Hunter and Wayne Armstrong, heard a call from Scarborough All Weather Lifeboat to MRSC Humber advising that the Scarborough ILB had capsized close to the sea wall in Scarborough North Bay.

Responding immediately to the transmission and informing the MRSC Humber they proceeded to the North Bay where they found the crew of four in the water being buffeted against the sea wall by a very heavy and confused swell. Assessing that if they could not immediately rescue the crew or injury should prevent the crew  from helping themselves, they requested immediate helicopter assistance.

Mark Hunter and Wayne Armstrong then positioned their vehicle on the sea wall and utilizing the Perry throwline, recovered the first crewman some twenty feet up the wall. however, this line proved to be useful only once as the other crew members found it difficult to grip. as a result Mark Hunter and Wayne Armstrong returned to the Coast Rescue Vehicle and deployed two cliff lines to the remainder of the ILB crew who were successfully recovered up the sea wall.

The Deputy Station Officer, Mark Hunter, and Wayne Armstrong acted in such a way as to prevent serious injury or possible loss of life to the four members of the inshore lifeboat crew and are commended for their presence of mind and swift actions in resolving this incident.

John Astbury

CHIEF COASTGUARD