Acts of exceptional bravery at sea honoured at annual IMO Awards ceremony
The IMO medal for exceptional bravery is awarded annually in recognition of those who perform acts of exceptional bravery at risk to their own lives.
The 2023 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea has been presented to Caleb Halle, Aviation Survival Technician Second Class (AST2) of the United States Coast Guard (USCG). He was recognised for the outstanding courage, endurance and determination he showed during the rescue of the seven-strong crew of the tugboat Legacy in January 2023.
AST2 Halle, based at the Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, received the award at the annual IMO Awards Ceremony in London. The ceremony was held at the conclusion of the first day of the 33rd session of the IMO Assembly (A33) which is taking place from 27 November to 6 December.
AST2 Halle was accompanied at the Awards ceremony by his parents, his wife and baby daughter. Accepting the award, he thanked them for their support, and described the pride he felt:
"I am honoured to have been nominated and chosen for this award. I am also honoured to have participated in this rescue with the excellent aircrews I flew with that night...This was a team effort in every aspect of the rescue, and I would have been unable to conduct this rescue operation without the combined efforts of both aircrews that night."
Mr Halle continued:
"This is just one story among many that Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers and their aircrews quietly accomplish every day, and I am proud to be a small part of their time-honoured tradition of saving lives."
Certificates of Commendation were presented during the event to four individuals or groups for their acts of bravery. A further 13 have been sent letters of commendation.
