Queen Mary 2 Captain Chris Wells, and his crew received a Medal for Seamanship presented by The Royal Cruising Club honoring them for the rescue of a skipper in the Atlantic. The ceremony was held at The Royal Cruising Club in Knightsbridge on March 1, where Captain Wells and Skipper Wheatley who was rescued by Cunard’s flagship jointly received the award.

Mervyn Wheatley, who has sailed over 400,000 miles, including three transatlantic crossings in one year, was rescued by the Queen Mary 2 crew after his yacht was severely damaged in a powerful Atlantic storm. He was taking part in a transatlantic race when the vessel was hit by a huge wave and knocked over his yacht. Mervyn activated his distress beacon when the vessel started taking on water. In heavy seas and rough weather, with the help of RAF Hercules and Canadian search and rescue services, the crew of Queen Mary 2 took on the task of rescuing the skipper.

Captain Chris Wells coordinated the crew who launched a life boat which plucked Wheatley from the water and took him on board. Captain Wells, Master of Queen Mary 2 said: “I am honoured to receive the medal on behalf of the crew, from the Royal Cruising Club, with Mervyn. “It is standard seafaring practice to help someone in distress, Mervyn is a highly experienced mariner and was hugely unlucky to have been hit by such a large wave, I was glad we could help.”

Captain Chris Wells, also added that it was standard seafaring practice to go to the aid of a vessel in distress. He said: “We were pleased to be able to help and delighted that the yachtsman is safe and well and now on board.”