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Well aware that he and RO Morris were still at considerable personal risk, PO Rule displayed remarkable composure and professionalism as he endeavoured to take control of the unfamiliar boat.
Meanwhile, RO Morris continued to crawl over the cargo of contraband to the stern of the "chung fei" in an attempt to disable the engines.
Before he could establish a firm hold in the engine bay, and despite PO Rule's best efforts to avoid the fish farm, the "chung fei" collided at full speed with a fish tank, passing through and completely destroying a wooden hut and coming to rest amidst the fish farm tanks.
Remarkably, the two seamen escaped with only minor injuries and PO Rule was able to extract the "chung fei" from the fish farm and return it to HMS Starling for examination and subsequent handover to the Police.
The brave actions of the two men resulted in the arrest of two smugglers and the capture of a boatload of electrical contraband valued in excess of $130,000.
Throughout the incident, both men displayed a complete disregard for personal danger, in the finest traditions of the Service, and are awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery.
Petty Officer Rule is aged 31 and comes from Bath. He is married and has served in Hong Kong for over two and a half years. He has served in the Royal Navy since March 1980.
Radio Operator Morris is 26 and comes from Liverpool. He is single and has been in Hong Kong since August 1993. He joined the Royal Navy in January 1988.
End/Tuesday, January 10, 1995
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