Star of Courage

• Awarded on: January 17, 1983
• Invested on: March 04, 1983

On 25 November 1980, Capt. Andrew Rae, Master of the tugboat Janie B, was engaged in towing the Dolphin X in heavy weather off the coast of Labrador. His tow radioed that it was sinking, and moments later the crew abandoned ship, launching a rubber raft into violent seas whipped by 120 km/hour winds. Capt. Rae slipped the tow line and skilfully manoeuvred his vessel to permit the men in the raft to board via ladder and net. The last became tangled in the raft's ropes and clung desperately to the ladder. Realizing that the 8-metre waves would very shortly tear the raft from the tug, Capt. Rae rushed down the ladder and, hanging onto the rail with one hand, attempted to cut the seaman free. Several times waves swept over the two, almost carrying them away, but Capt. Rae persisted, succeeding on the third attempt. Had it not been for his courageous action the man would have perished.