Praise for Britannia Royal Naval College Staff After Rescue at Sea

Staff at Britannia Royal Naval College have been praised for rescuing a fellow sailor after his engine failed.

River staff at Britannia Royal Naval College have been praised for coming to the aid of a fellow sailor whose engine had failed off the Mewstone.

Warrant Officer Arty Shaw, Able Rate Rebecca East and civilian worker Phil Orton were returning to Dartmouth after collecting one of the College picket boats from a shipyard in South East Cornwall, when they came across a rigid inflatable boat, owned by Paul Thomas, drifting towards the open channel.

WO Shaw said:

“We saw Mr Thomas waving to us and went to his assistance.

“He told us that his engine had failed so we agreed to tow him back to a safe mooring within Plymouth breakwater, from where he had arranged for a friend to collect him.

“Providing this type of assistance is routine business for the Royal Navy and it’s covered in the training we provide to the Officer Cadets at BRNC.

“We were glad to be in a position to help Mr Thomas on this occasion.”

After securing Mr Thomas’s boat to a buoy and informing the Royal Navy Port Control of their actions, the BRNC crew continued on their way.

Mr Thomas, who lives near Plymouth, said:

“The crew of the BRNC boat were extremely helpful.

“They couldn’t have been more friendly and did everything possible to make sure I was secure.

“I can’t thank them enough for their assistance. I know they were under a bit of pressure to return to BRNC, but they came to my aid and did what they had to do with good grace.”

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Naval Today Staff,October 25, 2012; Image: Royal Navy