bravery awards last night.

And six-year-old Jayde Curtis hugged the man who pulled him from the water in St. George's harbour on a windy Friday afternoon almost four years ago.

On November 18, 1994, George Dowling Jr. left his post at Dowling's Garage and dived into the rough water near Somers Wharf and swam 15 to 20 feet out to Jayde -- then aged two -- and pulled him to safety.

Jayde had fallen more than 15 feet off the wharf and was in difficulty.

According to Mr. Dowling, he would have drowned within minutes.

A visibly moved chairman of the Bermuda Bravery Awards D. Mark Selley said "this is what it is all about'' as little Jayde hugged Mr. Dowling.

Mr. Dowling said last night: "Although I live near him and see him fairly often, it is with a feeling of joy to know he almost drowned but has grown into a fine young gentleman.'' He added that he did not expect the award and said he was "overjoyed''.

Governor Thorold Masefield congratulated all the recipients of the bravery and lifesaving awards and thanked the Bravery committee.

"Of these people, some appear to be ordinary people but that is part of the reason we are here,'' he said. "They have done something special after they got themselves qualified in rescue and lifesaving.'' "Each of these people reacted calmly and coolly,'' he said. "These are very remarkable people. I hope their example will encourage others to go and learn the techniques to save lives.'' The other 13 heroes honoured at the ceremony held at the Bermuda Underwater Institute were: Quincey Jones -- for bravery on January 28, 1998, in jumping into rough water in Hamilton Harbour to assist Police in rescuing Melvin Wolffe who was already dead.

Life savers praised P.c. Marie Picard and P.c. Carl Neblett for bravery in the rescue of Melvin Wolffe.

P.c. Paul Watson -- for the rescue of the barely conscious Lois Bean from Hamilton Harbour on March 3, 1998 -- and P.c. Tim Carr -- for lifesaving in the rescue of Ms Bean.

Sgt. Othneal Haynes and P.c. Jermaine Tucker -- for lifesaving in dragging David Sousa from his burning Sandys Parish home on April 7, 1998.

Lena Mae Boyles -- for lifesaving in the rescue of unconscious two-year-old Jahmeeka Steed from the water at Admiralty Cove on 21 August, 1998 and administering CPR in reviving the infant. Ms Boyles was also commended by the St. John's Ambulance Brigade as a graduate of its programme of CPR training for business people.

Lifeguards Jason Currie and Nigel Swain -- for lifesaving while on duty at Horseshoe Bay in conducting multiple assists and rescues of swimmers in difficulty on September 10 and 11, 1998.

Lifeguard James Morrison -- for lifesaving while on duty at Horseshoe Bay when three lifeguards did 17 rescues of inexperienced swimmers on September 22, 1998.

Lifeguards Glen Davies and Richard Forehead -- for lifesaving while on duty at Horseshoe Bay on September 10, 11, and 22, 1998. This is Mr. Forehead's second award for bravery.

The awards were started in 1976 and were awarded for more than a decade before falling dormant. They were revived in 1996.