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View Full Version : Australia Rohan Pugh,Bravery Medal ,At sea



bobdina
08-22-2009, 08:17 PM
The Bravery Medal is awarded for acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.

It is the third highest Australian Bravery Decoration.

Chief Petty Officer Pugh displayed remarkable and selfless bravery when five personnel were washed overboard from HMAS Farncomb by a large wave on the night of 19 March 2007. He was a member of the recovery party and entered the turbulent water at great risk to himselve to ensure that his shipmates were all safely recovered.
Farncomb, a Collins class submarine, was conducting a dived open ocean transit when she surfaced to clear fouling on her casing and propeller. The sailors who were washed overboard were part of a team working to free the obstructions. A full safety assessment had been conducted but rapidly worsening weather conditions meant their clearing operations were cancelled soon after they started. However, before the fouling party could return to the ship, the single wave washed them into the sea. The recovery teams worked for an hour and a half in extremely difficult weather conditions to recover the men overboard.
Chief Petty Officer Pugh displayed remarkable and selfless bravery in swimming to, supporting and helping bring his shipmates back on-board.
Several other members of the Ship’s Company received Commendations from Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane, AM, CSM, RAN, for their actions during the Farncomb man overboard recovery.
“All of Farncomb’s personnel who were involved showed significant fortitude, teamwork and courage to ensure that all sailors were returned to the submarine without major injuries and no loss of life,” Vice Admiral Crane said.
“Among them, the courage and actions of Chief Petty Officer Pugh, is worthy of the highest admiration from all of us.”

The Bravery Medals will be presented at an official investiture ceremony in the near future.

No pictures

Cruelbreed
08-23-2009, 03:05 PM
Great job saving his comrades.