MEMBERS of two lifeboat crews have been singled out for praise after helping to rescue people from a grounded yacht. Andrew Coe, John Collins and Phillip Curry, who are all volunteers at Walmer lifeboat station, have received a letter of thanks from Michael Vlasto, the operations director of the RNLI, for their part in the incident last August.

The Dover lifeboat crew, under the command of Coxswain David Pascall, has also been sent a letter of commendation. Both crews were called out when the motor yacht, the Anna Manthine, ran aground on the Goodwin Sands. Mr Curry reassured the four yachtsmen while Dover towed the Norwegian craft back, five and a half hours later.

"Michael Vlasto was impressed by the way the two lifeboats worked closely together, using their local knowledge and the qualities of each boat to good effect," said lifeboat secretary Denis Brophy.