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
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 honored during a special ceremony recognizing seafarers held in London on November 24, 2025, in the margins of the IMO Assembly taking place from November 24 to December 3, 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.
In a statement to IMO ahead of the awards, Mr. Lee recounted how he risked life for his crewmates on November 8, 2024, when the fishing vessel Geum Seong No. 135rapidly 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,
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