The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) has announced the final shortlist for its 2017 Hero awards.

IMRF chairman and trustee Udo Fox said: “There were many, many extremely worthy candidates and organisations doing inspiring work.”

One of the finalists for the individual award is first mate Anton Tasanen, of Prima Shipping Group’s 3,000-dwt general cargoship Prima Donna (built 1987).

The vessel’s cook had fallen overboard in rough weather off Finland in April and a lifebuoy was thrown to him.

He was then seen to lose consciousness in the cold water, turning over to float face down.

“First mate Tasanen realised the situation was perilous and told his crew he would jump into the water, using the rope already in the water to wrap around himself and the cook, enabling the crew to use the vessel’s mooring winch to pull them aboard,” IMRF said.

Broken ribs

He managed to loop the rope around the two of them, holding the unconscious cook tightly.

The winching process worked, but Tasanen was badly injured, fracturing seven ribs and breaking two more.

“First mate Anton Tasanen showed great determination and utter selflessness, putting his own life at risk to save the life of a member of the crew — and he deserves to be recognised for his bravery and courage,” IMRF added.

He is up against Ray Burge, a New Zealand coastguard officer whose quick thinking saved a husband and wife caught in strong currents and heavy seas.

The team award will go to either the National Sea Rescue Institute’s WaterWise Academy in South Africa, which teaches disadvantaged children about water safety, or the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) based in Malta.

MOAS rescued more than 1,800 people from boats in the Mediterranean over the Easter weekend, IMRF says.

The innovation and technology prize finalists are the UK’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Future Leaders in Lifesaving team for its programme focusing on new and developing search and rescue organisations around the world, and the MAR-SimNET Project, a simulator for maritime disasters.

There are two nominees for the Vladimir Maksimov lifetime achievement award.

Branko Ramesa from the Croatian search and rescue authority has “demonstrated his bravery time and time again, dedicating his life to saving lives at sea”, IMRF said.

Captain Ramon Sagues and engineer Otto Vicente Muzzio have been nominated for volunteering in setting up Uruguay’s Association of Maritime and River Rescue (ADES).

The winners will be announced at the RNLI College, Poole, UK, on 2 November.