ALCOAST 054/23 - FEB 2023 SOLICITATION FOR 2023 IMO HONOURS FOR EXCEPTIONAL BRAVERY AT SEA

R 101444Z FEB 23 MID200080724429U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 054/23
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: SOLICITATION FOR 2023 IMO HONOURS FOR EXCEPTIONAL BRAVERY
AT SEA
1. This message announces the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) solicitation for nominations for the 2023 IMO Honours for
Exceptional Bravery at Sea.
2. Background.
    a. This annual award provides international recognition for
those who, at the risk of losing their own lives, perform acts
of exceptional bravery, displaying outstanding courage in
attempting to save lives at sea or in attempting to prevent or
mitigate damage to the marine environment. Such acts of bravery
may also involve extraordinary seamanship skills in very difficult
conditions or any other display of outstanding courage.
The Guidelines for this recognition were revised in 2022.
    b. The recipient/s of the award will be invited to a special
ceremony in London, United Kingdom, to receive a medal and
certificate in honor of the acts of exceptional bravery performed.
Travel expenses should be covered by the Unit or Area providing
the nomination.
    c. Additional information on the award can be found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

http://www.dco.uscg.mil/IMO/EBAS/

3. Past U.S. Recipients.
    a. In 2022, three crew of the Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod,
MA, along with four Canadian crews, received Certificates of
Commendation for the international rescue operation of all 31 crew
members of the fishing vessel Atlantic Destiny, which was on fire,
unpowered, flooding, and violently pitching and rolling.
    b. In 2022, AST2 Juan Espinosa Gomez of Coast Guard Air Station
Sitka, AK received the Certificate of Commendation for the rescue
of a mariner of the sailing vessel Ananda amidst heavy seas and
limited visibility caused by a powerful Alaskan storm.
    c. Additionally in 2022, a Letter of Commendation was received by
AST1 Newsward K. Marfil of Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, HI
for the rescue of two pilots forced to ditch their cargo aircraft
into the Pacific Ocean.
    d. Three Certificates of Commendation were awarded in 2021 to
AST1 Joshua Mayfield of Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, NC,
PO1 Wallace Qual, and a crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka for
each of their commendable actions.
    e. Additional information on past awards is archived at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

http://www.imo.org

Select "About IMO", "Our Work", "External Relations Office" then
"IMO Awards and Recognitions".
4. Nominations for the 2023 award are for actions performed during
the period of 01MAR2022 to 28FEB2023. Guidelines for the award and
the nomination template are located at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

http://www.dco.uscg.mil/IMO/EBAS/

    a. U.S. nominations for this award are not limited to Coast
Guard personnel and many recipients of this award have included
civilians and merchant mariners.
    b. Units have the unique ability to become aware of heroic
acts of the maritime industry and the inherent dangers associated
with maritime activities through daily exchanges with the public.
Units are highly encouraged to nominate candidates who meet the
criteria, regardless of their affiliation with the USCG.
    c. All nominations which meet the nomination criteria of the
IMO will be considered by the U.S. for submittal to the IMO.
5. Action.
    a. The deadline to submit nominations to COMDT (CG-5PS) is
31MAR2023. All nominations should include photos of the nominee
both in action and off duty.
    b. Request all submissions be routed through respective District
and Area Commands and be submitted electronically to imo@uscg.mil
for final COMDT (CG-5PS) clearance. COMDT (CG-5PS) will submit
nominations to the IMO.
6. POC: LCDR Jessica Anderson, COMDT (CG-5PS-IMO), at
202-372-1376, or Jessica.P.Anderson@uscg.mil.
7. Mr. Jeffrey G. Lantz, Director of Commercial Regulations and
Standards (CG-5PS), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.