The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) has announced the winners of its Hero awards for 2017, including Finnish crewman Anton Tasanen, who risked his life to save a colleague.
The second annual prize-giving ceremony, which honours excellence in rescue operations, was held at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) College in the UK.
IMRF chief executive Theresa Crossley said: “We applaud some exceptional SAR [search and rescue] professionals in this year's awards.
"The level of selfless bravery and commitment to saving lives at sea demonstrated by our winners and runners-up is both humbling and awe-inspiring."
Tasanen won the individual award for jumping into rough seas to rescue an unconscious crew mate using his vessel's mooring winch.
He is the first mate of the Prima Shipping Group-owned 3,000-dwt general cargoship Prima Donna (built 1987). Tasanen used a rope already in the water to wrap around the cook and the crew then winched them onboard. Tasanen was badly injured, fracturing several ribs.
The team award went to the Migrant Offshore Aid Station, which saved more than 1,800 people from drowning in the Mediterranean in one weekend.
The RNLI Future Leaders Project Team 2016 won the innovation and technology award for its international work with new and developing SAR organisations.
The team helps fledgling organisations to build leadership skills, enhance training and strengthen drowning prevention services.
And the Vladimir Maksimov lifetime achievement award went to ADES — the Association of Maritime and River Rescue in Uruguay — with special recognition for two volunteers, captain Ramon Sagues and engineer Otto Vicente Muzzio, who established the organisation.
Emergency response outfit McMurdo and satellite group Inmarsat sponsored the awards.
