Five acts of heroism at sea were honored in November 2011 in New York City at the annual United Seamen’s Service Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) dinner. Two of the awards went to the vessels and crews who helped after the devastating March earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The other three were given to American seamen who performed “acts of courage.”
The awards went to:
The master and crew of the USNS Bridge which spent March and April of 2011 delivering food, water and fuel to the Japanese people under harsh at-sea conditions. The report says, “These civilian mariners demonstrated dedication to duty under extreme and adverse conditions.”
The officers and crew of the USNS Safeguard, a rescue and salvage ship, which also aided the Japanese by removing tons of wreckage and clearing a shipping channel. They displayed “exceptional seamanship under trying and difficult circumstances.”
The master and crew of the Horizon Producer for rescuing and caring for two commercial fishermen from a fishing trawler that was on the verge of sinking 120 miles from the Puerto Rico coast.
The master and crew of the NOAA ship, the Thomas Jefferson, for responding to a U.S. Coast Guard radio call of a small plane and its pilot that went down north of Key West. The ship was cited for “expert skills in the use of hydrographic survey equipment” to locate and rush to the aid of the pilot, saving his life.
Four individual seamen for individual acts of heroism. Aboard the MV Cape Kennedy in New Orleans, a shipboard fire broke out. First Assistant Engineer James Sutton, Second Assistant Engineer Robert Wappas, Third Assistant Engineer Marshall Sanford and Able Bodied Seaman Gary Toomer reacted quickly and risked their lives in the dense smoke to contain the fire until New Orleans firefighters arrived.
With all the bad news these days, it is heartening to know that seamen are also recognized for their bravery and dedication to their work. The Louisiana maritime law specialists at The Young Firm would like to add their congratulations to those recognized and offer their thanks to all maritime workers.
