The crew of Rescue 199, a Prestwick-based HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter has been presented with the Edward and Maisie Lewis Award for their part in the rescue of an injured yachtsman 40 miles Southwest of the Hebridean island of Barra in September 2025.
After injuries were sustained by the Winch Paramedic aboard R948, HM Coastguard’s Stornoway helicopter, R199 from Prestwick was instead called upon to carry out the rescue. Despite the extreme conditions faced by the helicopter’s four crew, the injured yachtsman was saved.
The four crew, Jamie Ross, Harry Howell, Alan Robertson and Mark Warters were awarded at an exclusive event that took place at during the Shipwrecked Mariners Society’s Annual General Meeting, which was held at Fishmongers Hall in London on Tuesday 6 October.
Deputy Chief Coastguard John Craig said: “Recipients of the Edward and Maisie Lewis Award demonstrate exceptional courage, skill, and bravery in pursuit of saving lives. In this case, the actions of R199 saved the life of a seriously injured seafarer in exceptionally challenging maritime conditions.
“The efforts of R199’s crew reflect the heroism and professionalism shown every day by search and rescue teams around the UK whom we celebrate and thank for keeping people safe on the coast and at sea.”
Presented by the Shipwrecked Mariners Society, the Edward and Maisie Lewis Award is named in honour of Sir Edward Lewis, developer of the Decca Navigator System, and his wife Lady Maisie Lewis. The award commemorates the couple’s long-lasting patronage of maritime welfare and air-sea rescue operations.
During the same event, another R199 crew comprising Mark Randall, Harry Howell, David Rigg, James Vallance were commended for their rescue of a solo kayaker experiencing a medical episode at 1.29pm on 9 August 2025.
For fellow crew member Emma Atkinson, it was her first operational response following qualification. The casualty was safely winched aboard the helicopter and taken to Whitehaven Hospital for urgent medical care.
HM Coastguard was praised for its role coordinating multiple rescues at sea, including during the ditching and subsequent rescue of a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter crew off the coast of Dorset in 2024 and its ongoing work to ensure safety for cross-Solent ferry operator Wightlink.
The presentations took place on 6 October at the Shipwrecked Mariners Society AGM and awards ceremony at Fishmongers Hall, London.
