IT was a very proud moment for Nelson Bay skipper Eryl Thomas on August 28 when he was awarded the Marine Rescue Officer for 2015 at a gala presentation dinner held in Sydney.
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A long standing volunteer with Port Stephens Marine Rescue, the 76-year-old from Soldiers Point was recognised at the Rotary NSW Emergency Services Community Awards ceremony held at Darling Harbour.
He beat three other nominees based upon contribution and effort to Marine Rescue and boating safety.
"To tell you the truth this came out of left field," Mr Thomas said after hearing of his win.
"But you don't collect these types of awards on your own, it takes a lot of help and support from fellow volunteers."
Mr Thomas joined the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, now Marine Rescue, in 1999 and reckons he has undertaken hundreds of rescues as a skipper and crew member.
Port unit commander Tony O'Donnell said Mr Thomas had many times put the lives of others ahead of himself.
"Eryl has achieved in excess of 10,000 hours' service on our boats including more than 3500 hours as a watchkeeper at the radio base," Mr O'Donnell said.
Mr Thomas received the Commissioner's Commendation for his role in the 2002 rescue of the crew of the sinking vessel Trade Winds off Dutchmans Beach.
