Coxswain And Crew Of The Lerwick Lifeboat

EDM number 785 in 1997-98, proposed by James Wallace on 12/02/1998.

That this House offers its sincere congratulations to the coxswain of the Lerwick lifeboat, Mr Hewitt Clark, on his award of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's Gold Medal for gallantry in respect of the rescue of crewmen from the stricken vessel 'Green Lily' off Shetland in November 1997; notes that the RNLI's Gold Medal is only rarely awarded and recognises the exceptional skill and bravery shown by Mr Clark in this rescue; further congratulates the lifeboat crew, Richard Simpson, Peter Thomson, Brian Laurenson, Ian Leask and Michael Grant on receiving the Institution's Bronze Medal for gallantry, and the members of the coastguard helicopter rescue crew on receiving special recognition by the RNLI for their part in the rescue; recognises with sadness and deep respect the special vellum posthumously awarded to winchman William Deacon who sacrificed his life in this mission; and records its sincere appreciation of all lifeboat crews, coastguards and air and sea rescue teams who give selfless service to those who encounter difficulties in the waters around our shores.

This motion has been signed by a total of 76 MPs.