The IMO Council held its 118th Session in July 2017 where the winners of the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea were announced. Two members of the Houston Pilots in the United States are to receive the highest IMO bravery recognition for their role in averting a major tragedy when the ship they were piloting broke down and burst into flames after colliding with mooring dolphins.
Despite being surrounded by a towering wall of burning fuel for nearly 90 minutes, pilots Captain Michael G. McGee and Captain Michael C. Phillips showed decisiveness, dedication and ship-handling expertise. As a result of their courageous actions, no lives were lost, serious damage to pier structures and petro-chemical facilities were prevented and a major marine pollution incident was avoided.
Captain McGee and Captain Phillips were nominated by the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA). The Award was decided by a Panel of Judges and endorsed by the IMO Council.
The 2017 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea will be presented during a ceremony to be held during the 30th session of the IMO Assembly in November.
Also, during IMO Council 118th, it was announced that the prestigious International Maritime Prize for 2016 is to be awarded to Mr. Koji Sekimizu, for his contribution to the work of IMO over many years.
