and Ports staff who assisted in rescuing the yacht, Ophelie .

Those honoured included pilot Mario Thompson, crew members Errol Minors, Maurice O'Connor, and Kenneth Gardner, and Harbour Radio's chief radio officer, Scott Simmons and senior radio officer, James Findlay.

On Tuesday May 8 a distress call was received at 8.15 a.m. from the 33 foot yacht which had been driven close to the reefs near North Rock by a northeast gale force wind of 35 to 45 knots.

At the request of Harbour Radio, the pilot/rescue vessel, St. George left one hour later to assist the vessel and although it reached the distressed yacht, it was unable to connect a tow rope.

While the two people on board -- along with their cat -- agreed to abandon ship, deteriorating weather conditions prevented the St. George crew from rescuing them safely.

Complicating the rescue was a language problem between the crew and the French speaking sailors of the yacht and most communication was done through hand signals.

The cruise ship, the Nordic Empress was eventually diverted to assist but a break in the weather allowed the St. George crew to rescue the couple and their cat and take them back to St. George's.

Dr. Brown, said: "This rescue typifies the outstanding work done by the rescue services in Bermuda, who when called upon always respond to those that are in distress, often risking their own lives to rescue others.'' TRANSPORTATION TRA