Five RNLI lifeguards have been presented with the Alison Saunders Lifeguarding Award – one of the charity's top honours – for the rescue of a bodyboarder in dangerous seas at Porthtowan in September 2011.
The Alison Saunders Lifeguarding Award was established in 2009. Sponsored and presented by former RNLI deputy chairperson Alison Saunders, the award is given annually for the most meritorious rescue by RNLI lifeguards during the previous season.
RNLI lifeguards Josh Ward, Ben Sowter and Adam Bunt and former lifeguards Chris Lowry and Marcus Lascelles were presented with the award at Porthtowan on Thursday evening (2 August) by Alison Saunders in front of their friends and family.
The event also provided an opportunity for RNLI Operations Director Michael Vlasto to officially present Marcus with the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum, the fourth highest award given by the charity, granted to him in November in recognition of his bravery in performing the rescue in huge surf and strong winds.
Josh, Chris, Ben and Adam all received a letter of appreciation from the charity recognising their efforts.
The rescue took place on Sunday 10 September 2011. RNLI lifeguard Marcus was alerted to the bodyboarder, Tom Durrant, who was towards the northern end of the beach struggling to cope in large, six to eight foot waves. Marcus immediately grabbed a rescue board and paddled out though the surf.
He was just able to get hold of Tom as they were hit by a series of heavy waves, which drove them towards the rocks.
Marcus was forced to ditch the rescue board in order to secure his hold on the casualty as he swam him into shore.
Meanwhile Chris and Ben had launched the inshore rescue boat (IRB) to try and assist in the rescue. However, the waves were breaking too close to the rocks for them to pick up Marcus and the casualty safely.
In very challenging conditions, Marcus helped the casualty scramble onto the rocks, despite the fact the pair were washed back into the water on several occasions.
RNLI lifeguard supervisor Josh Ward took Ben Sowter's place in the inshore rescue boat while Ben clambered over the rocks to assist Marcus in helping the casualty to safety.
Once on the beach and out of danger, Chris Lowry administered first aid treatment to both the bodyboarder and lifeguard – Marcus suffered several cuts to his feet, hands and lower back while Tom suffered cuts to the knees from being thrown onto the rocks.
They both thankfully escaped serious injury.
During the rescue operation, Adam was left in charge of the bathing area, monitoring other people in the water to make sure they were still safe.
Dickon Berriman, RNLI lifeguard manager, said; 'On top of the recognition the RNLI lifeguards have already received from the charity, it's a great honour for the team to receive the prestigious Alison Saunders Lifeguard Award.
"It was an extremely brave rescue carried out by Marcus with the back up of his colleagues, and illustrates the part the whole team of lifeguards on the beach play to ensure bathers and water users are safe. Conditions on the day were very demanding and the casualty was very lucky.'
In addition to receiving the Alison Saunders Lifeguarding Award, each lifeguard was given a share of £500 to be used to further their lifeguard training experience.
