When the French fishing vessel, FV LA FANETTE, lost power and was in danger of being swept into rocky territory off the coast of Land’s End on 12 March 2019, HM Coastguard responded immediately, launching the Sennen Cove RNLI lifeboat to aid the six fishermen onboard the ship. But with five- to six-metre waves lashing the vessels, and storm-force winds to contend with, the lifeboat was unable to establish a tow. And so Rescue helicopter 924 was tasked to save the struggling crew.

“Having investigated various positions on the vessel from which to evacuate the crew, it became evident that the safest winching location was the bow. This required exceptional airmanship, with the aircraft effectively flying sideways to maintain formation with the vessel,” wrote the Shipwrecked Mariner’s Society.

Captain Graham 'Sharky' Finn of the helicopter rescue crew insisted that the operation was ‘one of the most challenging jobs’ the Newquay crew had experienced: “We were flying into a Force-8 gale with 20-foot high waves swirling beneath us and we could clearly see the fishing vessel disappearing beneath the swell as we approached.” Finn explained that the only way the team could winch the fishermen up, was by turning the helicopter 90 degrees out of winds. “Which meant we were effectively flying sideways,” he said. “Needless to say, it was very challenging deck; it stretched the capabilities of both the crew and the aircraft.”

Indeed, the rescue proved extremely difficult, with one of the survivors sustaining a shoulder injury from the lurching ship, and a replacement hi-line needing to be used to rescue the winchman after the first hi-line parted due to the violent conditions. However, within 20 minutes of the rescue helicopter arriving, the entire fishing crew was successfully rescued and transferred to Newquay, where they received medical attention.

Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Justin Ormond, explained that the Skill & Gallantry Awards are vital in recognising true acts of heroism during times of crisis at sea, with the Crew Commendation award recognising the expert teamwork and bravery of those who have co-operated to stave off serious threats to life. "This year’s award is no different,” he said, “with the crew of Rescue 924 displaying incredible calm, skill, quick-thinking and professionalism in conducting a nighttime rescue in extreme conditions and under significant time pressure. It is also necessary to recognise the calmness displayed by the fishing crew and the commitment to safety shown by those on board to enable the successful rescue to occur at all."