American rescuers and a Chinese seafarer have been presented with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea 2013, during a special ceremony held on 25 November 2013 at IMO Headquarters in London.
Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Randy J. Haba and Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Daniel J. Todd of the United States Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, were nominated by the Government of the United States, for responding to a distress alert from HMS Bounty, during the pre-dawn hours of 29 October 2012, and overcoming the effects of cold, fatigue and ingesting sea water to deliver 14 crew members of HMS Bounty to safety, during Hurricane Sandy.
Mr. Yang Jinguo, a crewmember on the ferry Tong Chang Qi Du 11, was nominated posthumously by the Government of China, for sacrificing his own life while trying to rescue a person in distress on the ferry, after it had collided with the cargo ship Shun Qiang 28.
The winner’s widow, Mrs. Gu Meiying, received the certificate and award on his behalf.
