Prince William's Sailor Rescue Mission Caught on Camera (VIDEO)
None other than Prince William and the British Royal Air Force rescued a Russian ship that sank in the Irish Sea on Sunday, with the heir to the throne copiloting a helicopter that helped save a pair of lives.
The sailors tossed in the waves after their vessel was split open due to the strong winds off the coast of Wales. Five people in total were reported missing after the cargo ship, that was transporting 3,000 tons of limestone, sent a mayday call at around 2:00 a.m. One casualty was reported, the British Coastguard shared with the BBC, but pilots are still searching for the others.
The Prince helped steer the helicopter through the rough weather and airlifted the men to the RAF Valley base on the island of Anglesey, Wales.
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Alexander Yavovenko, the Russian ambassador to the United Kingdom, thanked the Duke of Cambridge for his efforts in an official letter on the embassy’s website.
“We know that you took an active part in the rescue and the two seamen were saved thanks to your selfless effort under the bad weather conditions. Let me express to you and your colleagues my deepest gratitude for saving the lives of the Russian citizens," said Yavovenko.
Prince William has taken his pilot career very seriously, and even pledged to rise up the rankings to a more prestigious command post. To do that, he will first have to serve as a rescue mission pilot at the Falkland Islands in April of next year.
He will be absent from his wife’s side for a few months, but will be back for the “Diamond Jubilee” event that will mark the Queen’s 60th anniversary on the British throne this summer.
The video below, distributed by Reuters, shows footage of the rescued Russians by Prince William’s helicopter.
