Petty Officer Marcus “Wiggy” Wigfull, has received the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air (QCBA) award for his heroic rescue of three yachtsmen from their grounded vessel last November.

He was the pilot of the Search and Rescue Sea King helicopter dispatched from HMS Gannet at Prestwick to rescue the crew of the yacht which ran aground on Horse Island. A Royal Navy spokesperson commended his bravery in rescuing the hapless yachtsmen, braving the rage of a tumultuous sea in the middle of inky darkness to reach the yacht- which was in danger of breaking up any moment- injuring his own hand in the process, fighting through “four metre seas with total disregard for his own safety to save the lives of the yachtsmen”.

Wiggy Wigfull is originally from Sheffield, but presently resides in Troon with his wife and children.

Horse Island is a tiny bit of land which the Arran ferry passes by five times a day on her way to the Ardrossan breakwater, so the grounded yacht was spotted by several of the ferry passengers. The 36 foot yacht was finally salvaged by a lifeboat crew several days later.