IMO awards

The three Melkbosstrand volunteers have received their awards for their part in the dramatic Seli 1 rescue of 25 men in November 2009.Kobus Meyer, Kim Germishuys and Coxswain Myck Jubber were able to travel to London to receive an International Maritime Organization (IMO) commendation at a Gala Function on the 24th November. They have now returned having had “an amazing experience.”Before the ceremony they were able to meet RNLI crew at the Tower lifeboat station and see their E class lifeboat, an aluminium alloy with closed cell polythene foam collar, capable of 40 knots.“ They are similar to us, except that they have permanent and volunteer crew. Their crews do 12 hour shifts and the station is permanently manned, so a volunteer may arrive straight from work, do a 12 hour night shift and then go back to work. that takes dedication.“ It was pretty amazing to get the awards. A lot of people were really interested in our story and South African Sea Rescue, said Kim.They had some time for sight seeing, a little shopping and then the awards.'“The sponsors gave us an amazing opportunity. It was a team effort and it was great to have our whole crew there. This would not have been possible without them. I cant thank them enough,” said Coxswain Myck Jubber.A special thanks to Premier Fishing, Sturrock Shipping, Calulo Shipping, Maersk Shipping and those individual members of the public who donated money to get the crew to the awards.