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.
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 vessel Geum Seong No. 135 rapidly 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 the Geum 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.”
