A ROYAL Navy diver from Fife who risked his own life in a bid to save others has been recognised in the latest list of operational honours published yesterday.

Chief Petty Officer William Sharp (44) has been awarded a Commander-in-Chief’s Commendation for his role in the brave attempt to rescue the stricken crew of the oil rig support vessel Bourbon Dolphin in April last year.

He is one of four members of the Northern Diving Group (NDG), the Royal Navy’s Scottish specialist diving and bomb disposal team based at Faslane on the Clyde, to be honoured.

The ship capsized in treacherous waters off the Shetland Isles with 15 crew on board.

Ten were rescued, although three later died, and five were reported missing, possibly trapped in an air bubble inside the upturned hull.

The NDG team had been investigating an unexplained explosion in Leith when they were alerted to the ongoing rescue efforts.

They were airlifted to Lossiemouth and then to a rig on site at midnight.

Chief Petty Officer Sharp had the crucial role of supervising the divers as they worked in the dark and windy conditions.

Warrant Officer Stephen Strange (47), from Southampton, who led the team that made the dives in near impossible conditions, has been awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal.

Diver John Anderson (27) from Edinburgh and leading diver Stephane Farrell (39), from Dumbarton, receive the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery for what has been described as their “exhausting attempts to search for fellow mariners who could have been trapped.”

Sadly, no bodies were recovered but Northern Diving Group commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Andy Ward said, “Make no mistake, this was heroism of the highest order. These men only called off their efforts when it became clear that their own lives were at risk.

“There is always a risk factor in any diving scenario, but these men were working at the very limits of what was safe and I can only say that I am very, very proud of them. They deserve their honours.”