Officer Lee Tae-Young of the Republic of Korea has been selected to receive the 2025 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea in recognition of his heroic rescue of twelve fellow crew members when the fishing vessel 135 Geumseongho sank in November 2024.
The prestigious award, endorsed by the IMO Council during its 134th session held in London this week, highlights Officer Lee’s remarkable courage, leadership and selflessness during the harrowing incident off the coast of Jeju Island.
In the early hours of 8 November 2024, the vessel suddenly listed and capsized, leaving only its propeller visible above water. As some crew members clung desperately to the exposed propeller and others were swept away by strong currents, Officer Lee, who had no formal training in search and rescue, sprang into action.
At great personal risk, he threw life rings to the stranded crew and assisted them in climbing aboard the rescue boat, ensuring he was the last to leave the scene after everyone else had been brought to safety.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation, which nominated Lee for the award, praised his actions, stating that he is a courageous seafarer who risked his own life to save his colleagues. They added that honouring his sacrifice and dedication serves not merely as an award but as a powerful source of inspiration for seafarers around the world.
Reports indicate that the intense pressure Lee endured during the rescue has had a lasting impact on his health. Nevertheless, he continues to persevere and remains a beacon of strength and hope to his fellow crew members.
The IMO Council also approved several additional commendations for extraordinary acts of bravery at sea. These include Canadian Air Force personnel who rescued twenty crew members from a disabled cargo vessel in treacherous conditions, Greek mariners who averted a major oil spill from the M/T Sounion in the Red Sea, members of the Japanese Coast Guard who saved a survivor from a capsized tugboat, and a United States Coast Guard rescue swimmer who saved two mariners during a tropical storm.
Established to provide international recognition for acts of outstanding courage in saving lives at sea or preventing serious damage to the marine environment, the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea remains the highest such honour conferred by the International Maritime Organization. Officer Lee will be formally presented with the award at a ceremony scheduled to take place at IMO Headquarters in London in November 2025.
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