A Portrush lifeboat member is to be awarded a bravery medal for his heroics in rescuing two 14-year-old boys from a flooding cave.
Anthony Chambers, 50, is to be awarded the RNLI's Bronze Medal for Gallantry for rescuing the two boys who were trapped by the rising tide in a cliff cave near Castlerock Strand in August.
The boys' location in the cave was discovered by a Coastguard cliff rescue volunteer.
The sea conditions and rising tide made all attempts to reach the boys futile, including two initial attempts by the inshore lifeboat to get close to the cave.
'Selfless courage'
Mr Chambers volunteered to swim into the cave as he believed he could reach the boys, who were trapped right at the back of the cave chest-deep in water.
Fighting against the elements in almost total darkness, he was smashed against the cave wall before reaching the boys for the first time.
Rescuing them one at a time, it took Anthony 30 minutes to complete the difficult return-swim twice with the rising tide against him.
The RNLI said his determination and resourcefulness were critical in saving the boys' lives.
RNLI Divisional Inspector for Ireland, Martyn Smith, said: "Having been trapped in the cave for over three hours wearing only shorts and T-shirts on a rising spring tide, there is no doubt that the boys were in very real danger.
"The actions of Mechanic Chambers in making two entries to the cave to rescue the boys demonstrated selfless courage without regard for his own safety."
The last medal awarded in Northern Ireland was in 1982 when a Bronze Medal was awarded to Helmsman John Desmond Rogers for rescuing the owner of the yacht Frieda, which had gone aground on Janes Rock in Strangford Lough in storm force winds.
The last medal awarded in the Republic of Ireland was in 2001 when a Silver Medal was awarded to Crew Member Fergal Walsh for saving a young man who had been swept off rocks.
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