Guardians,
The first day of the IMO Assembly ended with the recognition of Exceptional Bravery at Sea. I was extraordinarily proud to take part in the ceremony. For the first time, the IMO Council selected two winners. Both were U.S. citizens.
AST2 Abram Heller was recognized for his extraordinary performance in rescuing 8 persons in the water after the sinking of the ALASKA RANGER. Abram has been honored on several occasions, but the ceremony today was witnessed by thousands of international partners and they were astounded.
The second award would surprise you. It was awarded to two Americans who rescued three people from a grounded sailing vessel at Takau Lakaleka Reef in the Fiji Islands in October 2008.
Maurice and Sophie Conti who were anchored in their sailing vessel OCEALYS heard a distress call from the sailing vessel TIMELLA reporting they had been driven aground on a reef approximately 12 miles away. After exhausting comms checks and the possibility that a response unit could reach TIMELLA, the Contis elected to attempt a response.
With 4 and 6-year old children on board they got underway and closed the reef where the TIMELLA had grounded. Arriving on scene, they found all three persons on board (POB) in the water and the sailing vessel hard aground and breaking up on the reef.
While Sophie conned the their vessel (she told the told the two kids to stay on the cabin and lay down), Maurice deployed their inflatable launch and went after the people in the water. Maurice recovered all three and then returned to OCEALYS. They were safely recovered.
The Contis were recommended for this award by the government of New Zealand.
Pam and I were proud to meet the Contis and hear their story.
ADM A
