While Storm Arwen battered the North East in November 2021, six lifeboat heroes were speeding into terrifying conditions and waves seven metres high to save a fishing boat stranded 73 miles offshore.
Now, Michael Nugent and the five-man crew he led out to sea from Tynemouth as the storm hit have all been awarded commendations by the RNLI. Michael himself has also been honoured with a chair's letter of thanks for his service.
Coxswain Michael led a crew of Dan Howe, Joe Smiles, Michael Brown, Rob Blake and Andy King out to sea that night. After a four hour journey through storm force conditions, the boat made it to the stricken vessel and began attempting the recovery.
