Coastguard rescue team honoured to receive award
Members of Wells-next-the-Sea Coastguard Rescue
Team (CRT) have been honoured to receive the Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s
Chief Executive’s Team Award.
The annual award is presented to a team that has made
an outstanding contribution to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Wells
CRT is as dedicated and hard working as they come.
Wells CRT has won the award not only for their
involvement in several high-profile rescues, but also for their tireless work
in serving their community - from promoting HM Coastguard’s safety messages to
saving the lives of those in need.
Wells Coastguard Rescue Team |
One such rescue happened last June, the team was heavily
involved in the search and rescue of Peter Pugh from the saltmarshes at
Brancaster. Mr Pugh had got lost and subsequently became stuck in the marshes
for over 20 hours. The team played a pivotal role in locating Mr Pugh and they
were able to provide search planning expertise by utilising their local
knowledge of the area. Their expertise of this extremely dangerous and
difficult terrain helped the police locate Mr Pugh by drone.
SO Steven Willsher & SCOO Tony Garbutt |
Tony Garbutt, Senior Coastal Operations Officer for HM Coastguard who
presented the Team Award during a presentation evening at the Globe Inn, Wells,
said, ‘I’m delighted to present this award, on behalf of our CEO, to such a
dedicated team. I am so proud that the team’s unrelenting determination to
support their local community had been recognised and that gives me great pride.’
Brian Johnson, CEO Maritime & Coastguard Agency, said, ‘I feel
extremely privileged to be part of an organisation that has such dedicated volunteers
and staff. That’s why it is so important that we give recognition when it is deserved.
I personally would like to thank Wells CRT for all their hard work and
unrelenting determination to serve their community in often deeply challenging
circumstances.’
Steven Willsher, Station Officer Wells CRT, said, ‘On behalf of the team
we are all honoured to receive this award. Although the team are being
honoured, we have the support of all our Coastguard colleagues and the other
emergency services, by working together, sharing advice and expertise that’s
how we all can make a difference. Personally, I find being a coastguard
extremely rewarding, being able to give back to the community i live in and
being part of such a dedicated team gives me great pride.
We are currently looking for new volunteers across
the Norfolk coast, it’ll stretch
you in ways you’ll never expect, and you’ll find you can do things you never
dreamed of doing. It could be you helping to save a life or reuniting
someone with their family.
Email Area7@mcga.gov.uk to find out more.