Karen shares this latest news on behalf of Wightlink. Ed
The Royal Humane Society honours Wightlink Deck Officer Steve Chamberlain and the crew of St Clare for saving the life of a drowning man in Portsmouth Harbour
Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, has presented awards from the Royal Humane Society to Wightlink Deck Officer Steve Chamberlain, crew members Robbie Mihell, Chris Freemantle and launch coxswain Peter Simmonds for saving a drowning man in Portsmouth Harbour (Fellow crew member Paul Cooke was unable to join them).
The ceremony was held at Wightlink’s Portsmouth car ferry terminal on the main vehicle deck of Victoria of Wight just before the crew started a night shift.
The rescue
The certificates recognised the St Clare crew’s achievement in rescuing a man from the icy waters of Portsmouth Harbour on Saturday 3 February 2018.
Robbie Mihell spotted the man in the harbour, called ‘man overboard’ and a life ring was thrown in his direction.
When Steve Chamberlain realised the man was incapable of taking it, he jumped into the Camber Dock and supported him until Peter Simmonds arrived in Wightlink’s launch to help. Robbie Mihell, Chris Freemantle and Paul Cooke also boarded the launch to help their colleagues pull the casualty from the water.
Likely the man would have drowned
Lord-Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson says:
“I am delighted to congratulate the crew and present these awards to Steve Chamberlain and his colleagues on behalf of the Royal Humane Society.
“Had they not taken swift action, it is likely the man struggling in the water would have drowned.
“They are in good company. The Royal Humane Society was formed in 1774 and since then has made 200,000 awards to recognise acts of bravery in the saving of human lives.”
Hat trick for Steve
This is the third honour that Steve Chamberlain has received for his part in the rescue.
He has also been awarded the Merchant Navy Medal and an Individual Commendation from the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society.
At the time Steve said:
“I just acted instinctively when we saw the man wasn’t able to get into the life ring. We carry out emergency drills all the time but it’s different when it’s happening for real.
“Getting the man to safety was team work and I’m grateful to my fellow crew members for their support.”
Image: Front row (L-R) Robbie Mihell, Peter Simmonds, Lord-Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson, Steve Chamberlain, Chris Freemantle. Back row: Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield and Operations Director Daryl Palmer on board the lower vehicle deck of Victoria of Wight
