By Doug Maclean - Aviation Editor
Four members of the HM Coastguard helicopter crews based at Prestwick Airport have received a prestigious national award for the exceptionally demanding rescue of a seriously injured yachtsman in the North Atlantic.
The crew of Rescue 199 received the Edward and Maisie Lewis Award from the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society for their actions on Sunday 7 September 2025, when they flew approximately 170 nautical miles west of Prestwick to reach an un-named yacht in severe weather conditions.
Captain Jamie Ross, Co-Pilot Harry Howell, Winch Operator Alan Robertson and Winch Paramedic Mark Warters were recognised for their outstanding professionalism, judgement and teamwork during the operation.
The yacht had reported that a crew member had sustained a serious head injury requiring urgent medical attention.
When Rescue 199 arrived over the yacht, Atlantic swells were reaching five metres and the rescue presented formidable challenges for the helicopter crew. The unnamed yacht was proceeding under engine power but pitching heavily in the rough seas. Winds at the scene were reported at between 45 and 55 knots.
Difficult conditions aboard the yacht.
The vessel's mast was swinging dramatically, and its deck presented numerous hazards, including rigging which could potentially snag the helicopter's winching equipment.
The crew had already undertaken careful planning before taking off for the rescue, requesting additional support from Barra Lifeboat and a Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft as safeguards. The Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft are also based at Prestwick and on this occasion they were expected to remain high overhead the scene and act as a radio relay for the Rescue.
Winch Operator Alan Robertson guided the helicopter into position above the yacht, enabling the deployment of a highline and the lowering of Winch Paramedic Mark Warters onto the moving vessel.
Once aboard, Warters assessed the injured crew member and prepared the casualty for evacuation.
The helicopter crew selected a winching position towards the forward part of the yacht to reduce the risk of the rescue equipment becoming entangled with the vessel's mast debris.
The casualty was successfully recovered and flown to hospital for urgent treatment.
Operating at extreme range.
The rescue was particularly demanding because of the considerable distance between the yacht and the helicopter's Prestwick base.
A direct return flight over the 170-nautical-mile distance would involve approximately 340 nautical miles of flying, before allowing for any additional manoeuvring, diversion or time spent hovering above the yacht.
The Prestwick Coastguard helicopter base is operated by Bristow Helicopters on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Prestwick became the first HM Coastguard search and rescue base in the United Kingdom to operate the Leonardo AW189 helicopter in 2017, when two aircraft were introduced to replace the Sikorsky S-92s previously stationed at the airport.
The AW189 has a typical cruising speed of approximately 144 knots. At that speed, a 340-nautical-mile flight would take around two hours 22 minutes in still-air conditions, excluding time spent carrying out the rescue.
During the operation, Captain Ross and Co-Pilot Harry Howell were responsible for navigation, fuel management and coordination with other agencies.
The combination of distance, severe weather, limited visual references and the need to maintain the 8 tonne helicopter in a stable hover above the moving yacht made this an exceptionally demanding rescue.
Outstanding professionalism and teamwork
Captain Justin Osmond RN, chief executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, said:
"This was an exceptional rescue conducted in some of the most demanding conditions imaginable."
"Operating at extreme range, in violent seas and high winds, every member of the Rescue 199 crew displayed outstanding professionalism, judgement and composure."
"Their skill and teamwork ensured that a seriously injured casualty received the urgent care required, and they are thoroughly deserving recipients of this year’s Edward and Maisie Lewis Award."
The 2026 awards also brought a second distinction for Prestwick's Rescue 199 team.
A Prestwick helicopter crew received a Crew Commendation for rescuing a lone kayaker off the Mull of Galloway in August 2025.
In that incident, the kayaker was found clinging to an overturned kayak in rough seas.
The crew recovered the casualty from the water, provided advanced life-saving treatment and flew directly to hospital.
National award for courage and skill
The Edward and Maisie Lewis Award is presented by the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society for an outstanding air-sea rescue or medical evacuation.
The Society's annual Skill and Gallantry Awards recognise exceptional acts of courage, seamanship and professionalism in saving lives at sea.
The recognition of the Prestwick crews highlight the specialist skills required of the Coastguard's helicopter teams and the important role Prestwick Airport plays in providing search and rescue cover for Scotland's western seaboard and the wider North Atlantic. It also undertakes very challenging mountain rescues.
The Prestwick Coastguard helicopter base opened in 2016 when it took over the role from the familiar HMS Gannet Sea King helicopters. The distinctive red and white Coastguard helicopters are now a familiar site around Ayrshire. The base is consistently one of the busiest stations in the UK.
The September 2025 rescue highlights the vital role played by the Coastguard helicopter crews based at Prestwick Airport.
Their missions regularly take them far out into the North Atlantic and into Scotland and Norther England's mountainous terrain, often in some of the most challenging conditions faced by civilian helicopter crews.