Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: July 3, 1981
• Invested on: September 18, 1981

Joseph Rheal Doucet, M.B.
Celime Joseph Vautour, M.B.
Medala of Bravery

On 11 August 1980, in extremely rough seas, Rhéal Doucet and Célime Vautour rescued five of the seven crew members and passengers of the fishing vessel Marielle II which had capsized at Blacklands Gully, New Brunswick. When Célime Vautour, owner of the Eric V, received a radio call for help from his son, a crew member on another boat, he immediately proceeded to the scene and after taking his son on board, he guided his craft through the three to six metre high breakers. He manoeuvred skilfully and was able to pull three survivors out of the water. Meanwhile, Rhéal Doucet's vessel the Normand II had arrived at the scene of the disaster. In spite of the turbulent conditions, which were the worst ever experienced, he was able to lift aboard a woman, a man and Mr. Vautour's son who had jumped in the water to help. The unselfishness actions of the two skippers, who were the only volunteers to risk their lives and their boats to perform the rescue, are most commendable.