Heroic lifeboat crew is honoured

The rescue of eight crew took almost two hours

A lifeboatman who led a rescue mission to save the crew of a stricken vessel which was sinking off the South West coast is to be honoured.

The coxswain of the Torbay lifeboat, Mark Criddle, is to receive the Royal National Lifeboat Institution Silver Medal for Gallantry.

It recognises his leadership and seamanship during the rescue of eight seamen from the Ice Prince 13 January.

Mr Criddle described it as a rescue "that comes along once in your career".

The other crew members will also be recognised for their bravery.

The vessel, which had 20 crew on board, was south east of Berry Head in Devon when severe gale force winds and rough seas shifted its cargo of timber causing the vessel to list.

Mark Criddle and with the master of the Ice Prince

Twelve crew were airlifted and the remaining eight had to jump to safety off the badly-rolling cargo ship and on to the rescue boat.

Rescuing the eight men took nearly two hours of constant manoeuvring in close proximity to a rolling, powerless, cargo ship at night in what were described as "atrocious" conditions.

RNLI Divisional Inspector, Simon Pryce said that Mark Criddle showed great leadership and direction during the rescue operation.

"The crew of the lifeboat showed tremendous bravery, tenacity and strength, acting as a well-trained, efficient team," he said.

"Others involved with the rescue on the night, the Coastguard and helicopter crew, HMS Cumberland and the RNLI's Salcombe lifeboat all acted in the best traditions of lifesaving at sea, they can all be proud of a job well done."

Mr Criddle's volunteer crew on that night - Roger Good, John Ashford, Mathew Tyler, Nigel Coulton and crew members Darryll Farley and Alex Rowe - have also been recognised for their bravery and will each receive the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum.

Mark Criddle will receive his award at the RNLI's annual presentation at the Barbican on 22 May 2008.