Acts of exceptional bravery at sea honoured at annual awards ceremony.
Officer Lee Tae Young, a first mate from the Republic of Korea, has been awarded the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea, in recognition of his heroic actions that saved 12 fellow crew members from the Geum Seong No. 135 when it sunk in November 2024. (Photo gallery)
He was honoured during a special ceremony recognizing seafarers held in London on 24 November 2025, in the margins of the IMO Assembly taking place from 24 November to 3 December 2025.
IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez applauded Mr. Lee “for the extraordinary leadership, courage and selflessness” he displayed, adding that the safety of seafarers remains paramount at IMO.
Ms. Lydia Ferrad of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), which had nominated Mr. Lee, accepted the award on his behalf.
A story of survival and comradeship
In a statement to IMO ahead of the awards, Mr. Lee recounted how he risked life for his crewmates on 8 November 2024, when the fishing vesselGeum Seong No. 135rapidly listed and capsized:
“In that instant, my body moved instinctively, my actions preceding my thoughts. I acted on the belief, ingrained from my days as a scuba diving instructor, that cool headedness saves lives.”
Mr. Lee, who had no prior search and rescue training, immediately jumped into action, throwing two life rings and helping crew members climb to safety in extremely difficult conditions. While some crew members managed to hang on to the propeller – the only part of the vessel that remained above water – others were swept away by strong currents and waves.
“I prioritized my colleagues over my own safety. It wasn’t so much a choice I made, but rather a feeling of family, having lived together on the sea. That feeling remains unchanged to this day,” he continued.
Out of the 27 crew members on board the vessels, 12 were rescued by Mr. Lee. He was the last to leave theGeum Seong No. 135.
“At every moment I wanted to give up, my family’s faces came to mind. And my colleagues before me looked at me with eyes that said, ‘I want to live.’ That gaze made my body move again,” he added.
He was grateful for the award, while stressing that the safety of seafarers is not an individual responsibility, but one that both shipowners and governments must share: “We must never forget that a single lapse in vigilance can take a life.”
Certificates of Commendation
During the event, Certificates of Commendation were presented to the following:
Letters of Commendation
The following have been sent Letters of Commendation:
The bravery, professionalism and compassion demonstrated by crews of merchant vessels in the rescue of migrants at sea around the world was given special recognition, with the captains and crews of 11 different vessels, nominated by China, the United Kingdom, and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
The Secretary-General further recognized the courage of the captain and crew of the cargo vesselGalaxy Leader, who endured more than a year in captivity between November 2023 and January 2025.
“Their ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the many seafarers who, through no fault of their own, have been held hostage or subject to prolonged detention and grave danger at sea amid geopolitical tensions,” said Secretary-General Dominguez.
This annual Award was established by IMO to provide international recognition for those who perform acts of exceptional bravery, displaying outstanding courage in attempting to save life at sea or in attempting to prevent damage to the marine environment.
