Prince William aids in rescue of cargo ship crew members - USA Today

Prince William's year just got a little more memorable.

The prince, who is a Royal Air Force helicopter pilot and is known professionally as Flight Lt. William Wales, was aboard an aircraft that rescued two crew members early on Sunday, after their Swanland cargo ship was damaged in gale-force winds off the coast of north Wales, reports the Associated Press.

The rescued men were lifted by a Sea King helicopter co-piloted by Prince William, Britain's ministry of defense said. The second in line to the British throne then became part of the sea search for five other Russian crew members of the cargo ship, according to the AP.

• Find out more about the rescue here.