Lieutenant Layamon John Bakewell, DSD, for services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Lieutenant Bakewell was Commanding Officer of HMNZS Rotoiti, which at 5.00am on 11 October 2011, was ordered to sail to the vicinity of the grounded vessel MV Rena, off the coast of Tauranga. Deteriorating weather conditions led the Salvage Master on-board Rena to request an evacuation of non-essential personnel. By 6.30am when HMNZS Rotoiti arrived at the Rena, bad weather meant that an evacuation by boat could not be conducted. Lieutenant Bakewell called for helicopter assistance. Under his direction, the aircraft evacuated 13 personnel, before weather conditions prevented further flying. Rena’s state was now critical. The ship was listing with the hull under immense strain and containers on the stern becoming unstable. An oil slick downwind from the ship had spread. At 9.30am the Salvage Master called “Mayday” and sought an immediate evacuation of the remaining 27 personnel on-board. Lieutenant Bakewell organised five rigid hull inflatable boats to commence the operation. All remaining personnel were safely evacuated from the Rena.