Volunteer crew members at Peel RNLI have received commendations for their roles in two rescue operations involving a yacht in severe weather and a medical emergency at sea.

The awards recognise the crew's seamanship, teamwork and casualty care during incidents in 2024 and 2025.

Coxswain Mike Faragher received both a Chief Executive's Commendation for the yacht rescue and a Medical Director's Commendation for the medical response.

Volunteer crew member Juan Owens also received a Chief Executive's Commendation for his role in the yacht rescue, while Neil Moore, Will Senior, Jason Spooner and Chloe Spooner were recognised for their contributions to the medical emergency.

A trainee crew member, Tony Elder, was also presented with a certificate by Peel Lifeboat Station for his involvement in the 2025 incident.

The Chief Executive's Commendations relate to a rescue in August 2024, when HM Coastguard requested the launch of Peel RNLI's all-weather lifeboat following reports that a vessel had sunk and people were in the water.

On arrival, the crew found a de-masted yacht with three people on board. Conditions made it unsafe to transfer those aboard directly to Peel's lifeboat, Frank and Brenda Winter.

Owens went aboard the damaged yacht alongside a crew member from Donaghadee RNLI. They cleared the damaged mast and rigging, allowing a tow to be established and the yacht and its crew to be brought safely back to Peel.

The Medical Director's Commendations follow an incident in 2025, when Peel RNLI volunteers responded to a Mayday call from a small vessel taking on water approximately seven miles away.

The crew had been carrying out a routine training exercise when they heard the distress call over VHF radio. The exercise was abandoned and Frank and Brenda Winter, under Faragher's command, proceeded to the vessel.

Faragher, Moore, Senior, Jason Spooner, Chloe Spooner and Tony Elder were recognised for their casualty care and medical response, which contributed to saving a life.