A HEROIC ferry worker has spoken of the moment he braved choppy waters to save the lives of 22 drowning refugees.

Jonathan Hughes was part of a three-man team which pulled off the dramatic two-hour rescue mission off the Turkish Coast.

Now Mr Hughes, who has received a bravery award, has spoken of the experience of saving several lives.

Back home in Cherbury Close, Thamesmead, his proud mum has also heaped praise on her "fit and brave" son.

Mr Hughes, who works for Dutch ferry company Noordam, was woken by a 5am announcement telling the crew there were people struggling in the water.

Along with two other officers he ran to the back of the ship to see three men struggling to stay afloat in the Aegean Sea.

But it was only when the team got into the water the full seriousness of the situation became clear another 19 people needed to be rescued.

Mr Hughes, 24, said: "We all knew what had to be done and what we had to do to achieve this.

"We didn't really have to think of what to do. It just all happened, plus the adrenaline makes it go that much faster."

The 22 refugees, believed to be from Eastern Europe, got into trouble after their dinghy capsized.

After being rescued they were put on to boats and steered to the shore at Kusadasi in western Turkey.

Mr Hughes, a former pupil at Hawksmoor School, Bentham Road, Thamesmead, is still on board the ship, back to his day job as third officer.

He and his fellow rescuers Englishman Mark Rowden and Aafka Bergsma, from Holland received an award for bravery from their employers after the rescue on June 6.

His delighted mother Mary, 53, said: "I am so proud of him.

"He is a big lad but he is so fit and very, very brave."