Maritime Search And Rescue Heroes To Be Honored At Capitol Hill Ceremony

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Sep 21, 2017, 14:10 ET

NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A U.S. Coast Guard rescue boat crewman, two U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary members and the captains and crews of three commercial ships and two cruise ships will be formally recognized for their heroic actions at the annual Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) awards ceremony and reception in Washington D.C., Sept. 26.

The individuals and crews are being honored for maritime rescues that took place during calendar year 2016.

Petty Officer Jacob Hylkema, from Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor, Wash., will receive the Vice Admiral Thomas Sargent III Gold Medal. He acted as a surface swimmer in 18-20 foot breaking seas to save the master of a sailboat entangled in his own vessel's lines, conducting the rescue at great risk to his own life. Coast Guard Auxiliarists Brian Rollins and Scott Robson rescued a sail boarder in distress on the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest, earning them the AFRAS Chairman's Award.

Three of this year's rescue awards go to captains and crews on commercial ships that participate in the Amver program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard and is a computer-based voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea:

The tanker Orfeas' crew rescued four French sailors from a disabled 50-foot sailboat in heavy seas more than 1,000 miles east of Puerto Rico.
The crew of the bulk carrier Eastern Confidence rescued 41 migrants from a boat that capsized in the Mediterranean Sea.
The bulk carrier K. Coral's (now named EM Coral) crew rescued 19 fishermen after they abandoned their burning vessel nearly 900 miles southeast of Bermuda.

The AFRAS Cruise Ship Humanitarian Assistance Award will be presented for the first time at this year's ceremony, formalizing a partnership with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) to specifically recognize cruise ship rescues:

Royal Caribbean International's Brilliance of the Seas crew rescued 18 Cuban refugees in the Gulf of Mexico.
Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Spirit crew assisted with the medical evacuation to shore of two refugees in the Ionian Sea – one of whom was 36 weeks pregnant – working with both the Italian and Finnish coast guards.

"Crewmembers are a vital part of our industry, and the crewmembers of Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International exhibited exemplary service during their rescue operations," said Cindy D'Aoust, CLIA president and CEO. "We are honored to have these two brands as part of our community and applaud them on this success."

Congressman Duncan Hunter will host the Capitol Hill event, at the Rayburn House Office Building. Members of Congress, senior Coast Guard, MARAD and industry leaders, including Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Paul K. Zukunft, will join the AFRAS Board of Directors to bestow medals and awards to these heroes who went above and beyond the call of duty to save lives at sea.

AFRAS helps protect mariners from the perils of the sea by providing monetary and in-kind donations to world volunteer maritime search and rescue organizations. The charity also recognizes and honors extraordinary maritime rescues through an awards program and annual ceremony. AFRAS is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity. Visit AFRAS online to learn more about the organization, or to make a charitable donation.

Still photographs of the ceremony will be made available after the event.

SOURCE Association for Rescue at Sea