Bravery medal for Portrush lifeboatman

Anthony Chambers (50), mechanic and crew member at Portrush lifeboat station, Antrim, Northern Ireland, is to be awarded the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) Bronze Medal for Gallantry for rescuing two 14-year-old boys trapped by the rising tide in a cliff cave near Castlerock Strand on 5 August 2009.

The Coastguard tasked land, sea and air rescue teams as soon as the alarm was raised by worried parents, and the RNLI charity’s all-weather and inshore lifeboats at Portrush launched to help with the search operation. The boys’ location in the cave was discovered by a Coastguard cliff rescue volunteer, however the sea conditions and rising tide made all attempts to reach the boys futile – including two initial attempts by the inshore lifeboat to get close to the cave.

After observing the situation, a crewman on the all-weather lifeboat, Mechanic Anthony Chambers, volunteered to enter the water and swim into the cave as he believed he could reach the boys, who were trapped right at the back of the cave chest-deep in water. After Anthony prepared himself for the rescue and the crew of inshore lifeboat got him as close as possible, he entered the surging water. Fighting against the elements in almost total darkness, he was smashed against the cave wall before reaching the boys for the first time. Rescuing them one at a time, it took Anthony 30 minutes to complete the difficult and treacherous return-swim twice with the rising tide against him.

RNLI Divisional Inspector for Ireland, Martyn Smith, says:

‘Having been trapped in the cave for over three hours wearing only shorts and T-shirts on a rising spring tide, there is no doubt that the boys were in very real danger.

‘The actions of Mechanic Chambers in making two entries to the cave to rescue the boys demonstrated selfless courage without regard for his own safety. Entry into the cave required immense physical and mental effort, especially as he was hindered on both occasions by the additional lifejacket and helmet carried for each boy. Swimming continuously for half an hour in surging swells, often colliding the cave walls, Mechanic Chamber’s determination and resourcefulness were critical in saving the boys’ lives that day.’

Inshore lifeboat Helmsman Gerard Bradley repeatedly manoeuvred his craft in the rocky sea area at the mouth of the cave, where conditions were turbulent, and for his part in the rescue Helmsman Bradley (42) will be awarded a Letter of Thanks signed by the RNLI’s Chairman. The all-weather lifeboat crew helped initially with the search and then carried out first aid and prepared the two boys to be airlifted into the rescue helicopter for rapid transfer to hospital. For their part in this lifesaving service, Portrush inshore lifeboat Crew Members Karl O’Neill and Jonathon Weston, along with their colleagues on the all-weather, Coxswain William McAuley and Crew Members David Conley, Gary McLaughlin, Adrian Tohill and Ivan Bell, will each receive Medal Service Certificates from the Institution.

Martyn Smith continues:

‘Helmsman Bradley rapidly adapted to changing circumstances and remained undaunted throughout. Operating close inshore in confined waters and with virtually no sea room on his final recovery at the cave mouth, his initiative and boat handling were of the highest standard. The crews of the RNLI Portrush lifeboats exhibited outstanding teamwork and professionalism throughout this protracted service, which incorporated many elements of their training.’