Governor Stuart Jack and the Police Commissioner of Stuart Kernohan honoured the commitment and dedication of those involved in an incredible sea rescue which took place at Pedro Castle earlier this year.
Back Row, from left: Clinton Jackson (Port Authority, crewed the vessel in rough waters and effected the rescue of the father and the two rescuing officers); Dyronnie Myles (Fire Service, jumped in the sea with life vests for the family); Mark Luke (Police Constable, Marine Unit, jumped in the sea with life vests for the family). Front Row, from left: Brainard McLaughlin (Fire Service, boarded the helicopter with Jerome with rope and extra life vests and hoisted the two children to safety); Rodney Watler (Port Authority, crewed the vessel in rough waters and effected the rescue of the father and the two rescuing officers); Jerome Begot (Cayman Helicopters – quick response and flying); Trevor Tummings (Customs Officer attached to the Marine Unit, boarded the helicopter with Jerome with rope and extra life vests and hoisted the two children to safety); Roy lee Moore (Port Authority, crewed the vessel in rough waters and effected the rescue of the father and the two rescuing officers). |
The reception, held last Wednesday at the Governor’s House, saw eight individuals receive Commissioner’s Commendations, the highest level of award available in the police service, and a heartfelt thank-you was extended to all others who were involved in the incident for their efforts, said a RCIPS press release.
On July 6, a family of two small boys, aged 10 and 11, and their father were caught in rough seas at Pedro Castle and were struggling to stay afloat. Calls were made to 911 and staff from various agencies sprang into action displaying bravery, commitment and courage which stretched beyond the call of duty.
Despite the seas being extremely dangerous one RCIPS Marine Unit member, along with an officer from the Fire Service, armed themselves with life jackets and, with no regard for their own safety, swam out towards the struggling family. As this was happening the helicopter had responded and was hovering nearby.
Through sheer determination the officers managed to get the two boys hoisted from the water safely onto the helicopter, one at a time. They were attended to by medics after suffering some cuts to their hands, feet and knees.
Approximately two minutes later the father was rescued by a Harbour Patrol vessel; he too had abrasions to his legs.
The instinctive public spirit displayed by all concerned in this incredible rescue led to the family returning home to the US safe and sound, the release said.
‘This happy ending could have so easily been another story and was undoubtedly made possible through the great effort, communication and team work displayed by all,’ said Police Commissioner Stuart Kernohan. ‘Everyone involved should be very proud of their contribution and their actions. It was an excellent example of a coordinated approach by the different Cayman Islands agencies including the use of air support.
‘It is vitally important to celebrate successes such as this; all too often in this world we concentrate on the negatives and we lose sight of the all the good things going on. It is not always strategies, systems or processes that lead to these successes but people; people who are making a difference in difficult, demanding and sometimes dangerous situations.
‘It gives me great pleasure to recognise these achievements, to be able to present these awards and openly thank everybody involved for their outstanding efforts.’
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