THE coxswain of Lerwick lifeboat who helped save the lives of the crew of the stricken Green Lily last year is to be presented today with the Royal National Lifeboat Institute's highest award - the gold medal for outstanding gallantry, writes Aine Harrington.
Coxswain Hewitt Clark's bravery is also to be praised this morning by RNLI chairman David Acland in his annual speech to the charity's governors. Mr Acland says the remarkable story of the coxswain and his crew was the outstanding episode of 1997 and ''reaffirmed'' his belief in the value of lifeboat crews.
The Green Lily lost power and foundered off the coast of Shetland on November 19 last year. Mr Clark brought his lifeboat alongside the stricken cargo vessel long enough to take five men off only minutes before the ship was dashed to pieces on the rocks.
In the same incident, helicopter winchman Bill Deacon died after a wave swept him off the Green Lily's deck. He had helped 10 of the crew to be airlifted to safety. The RNLI announced in January that it was posthumously awarding Mr Deacon the RNLI Vellum for his bravery.
The gold medal - the first to be awarded in 16 years - makes Mr Clark the most decorated serving lifeboat man in Britain. He has already won three bronze and a silver medal.
He and his crew - who all are to be awarded bronze medals - are set to receive their awards from the Duke of Kent in London.
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