On 15 March 2012, the ferry Tong Chang Qi Du 11 collided with the cargo ship Shun Qiang 28 on the Yangtze river. The ferry’s hull was damaged and it started sinking with 33 persons on board, 31 of whom were subsequently saved during the search and rescue operation and transferred to a rescue ship. One passenger was trapped in his truck, which had been severely damaged in the collision.
On 15 March 2012, the ferry Tong Chang Qi Du 11 collided with the cargo ship Shun Qiang 28 on the Yangtze river. The ferry’s hull was damaged and it started sinking with 33 persons on board, 31 of whom were subsequently saved during the search and rescue operation and transferred to a rescue ship. One passenger was trapped in his truck, which had been severely damaged in the collision.
One of the rescued crew members, Mr. Jinguo Yang, 55, jumped back onto the sinking ferry and attempted, unsuccessfully, to prize open the jammed door of the truck in order to rescue the trapped passenger. Unfortunately, the ferry lost its stability and capsized. Mr. Jinguo Yang was unable to save the passenger’s life; indeed, in trying to do so, he lost his own. Although he had the opportunity to escape at the last moment, he chose instead, at the cost of his own life, to stay and attempt to rescue the trapped passenger.
The Council unanimously endorsed the decision of a Panel of Judges that these were the worthy recipients of the Bravery Award for 2013, from a total of 34 nominations, received from 10 Member States and two non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO.
The Council also decided that, of the other nominees or groups of nominees, six should receive Certificates of Commendation and 12 should receive Letters of Commendation.
The Awards ceremony will take place at IMO Headquarters, on Monday, 25 November 2013, at the end of the first day of the 28th Assembly of IMO.
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