From left, Paul Coates-Evans and Alex Leonard received a letter of commendation for saving the lives of two people.
TWO lifeboat crew from Yarmouth RNLI have been commended for saving the lives of two people who were on board a sinking yacht.
Volunteers Alex Leonard and Paul Coates-Evans received a letter of commendation from RNLI chief executive, Paul Boissier, thanking them for their actions.
The incident occurred in April, when a man and woman were found clinging to the rigging of a sinking yacht in high winds and rough seas in The Solent.
Yarmouth RNLI’s coxswain, Howard Lester, had his crew prepare the Y-boat, a smaller inflatable boat stowed on board their lifeboat. It was manned by Alex and Paul. With help from a rigid inflatable boat, they saved the pair and took them to the lifeboat.
Mr Boissier said: "Coxswain Howard Lester and his crew are to be commended on their teamwork and professionalism which complimented the actions of Alex and Paul in making this a first-class service all round. Well done, and thank you."
Bernard Turner, lifeboat operations manager at Yarmouth RNLI, said: "I am immensely proud my crew worked so hard in these conditions to bring about such a positive outcome."
Reporter: jamiew@iwcpmail.co.uk