IMO To Honour Rescue Diver Who Gave His Life During Desperate Search For Child In Norwegian Waters
Our take
The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) posthumous recognition of Adrian Willyson Brask with the 2026 Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea is a poignant reminder of the profound risks undertaken by maritime professionals, often far from the public eye. This award, bestowed upon a diver who lost his life during a desperate search for a child in Norwegian waters, underscores the unwavering commitment to human life that defines the maritime community. The incident itself highlights the complex and often perilous nature of search and rescue operations, a reality underscored by the recent report from ISWAN detailing the increasing need for support amongst seafarers and their families [4,992 Seafarers And Family Members Sought Help As Life At Sea Became More Complex In 2025]. Such instances demonstrate the inherent vulnerabilities faced by those working at sea, and the dedication required to mitigate those threats. A focus on seafarer wellbeing, such as the innovative ‘Sagar Mein Yog’ wellness program recently mandated in India [India Mandates ‘Sagar Mein Yog’ Wellness Course For All Seafarers Through New Digital Learning Platform], can contribute to improved mental and physical resilience within the industry, though it cannot eliminate the inherent dangers faced during critical situations like this rescue attempt.
The significance of Brask's actions extends beyond the immediate tragedy. It emphasizes the vital role of specialized maritime responders and the often-unseen sacrifices they make. Search and rescue operations, particularly those involving divers in challenging conditions, require exceptional skill, courage, and a willingness to put oneself at risk. The IMO’s recognition serves not only as a tribute to Brask’s bravery but also as a call for continued investment in training, equipment, and support for maritime rescue professionals worldwide. Consider, for example, the scale of international humanitarian efforts required in response to events like the recent earthquake in Venezuela, where Guyana’s dispatch of humanitarian aid [Guyana Dispatches 88 Containers Of Humanitarian Aid To Earthquake-Hit Venezuela] showcases the interconnectedness of maritime operations and global assistance. The complexities of coordinating such responses often rely on the readiness and expertise of maritime personnel.
This case also raises important questions about the evolving challenges facing maritime safety and resilience. As climate change intensifies, we can expect to see increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events at sea, potentially complicating search and rescue operations and increasing the risks faced by responders. Implementing robust, real-time data systems and integrated data ecosystems, utilizing calibrated sensors and longitudinal monitoring—elements core to World Data Ocean’s mission—will be critical for improving predictive capabilities and enabling more effective responses to maritime emergencies. Empirical data regarding sea conditions and potential hazards, transmitted in real-time, can inform decision-making and enhance the safety of both seafarers and rescue teams, providing crucial context for operational planning and risk assessment.
Looking ahead, it is imperative that the maritime industry continues to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of its workforce, while simultaneously investing in innovative technologies and collaborative frameworks to address the escalating challenges posed by a changing climate. The tragedy of Adrian Willyson Brask’s loss should serve as a constant reminder of the human cost of maritime operations and the unwavering need for vigilance, preparedness, and a commitment to ocean intelligence. How can we better leverage integrated data to proactively mitigate risks and enhance the safety of those working and navigating the world’s oceans?
Norwegian chief mate Adrian Willyson Brask to receive IMO’s highest honour for bravery at sea.
The 2026 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea will be presented posthumously to Mr. Adrian Willyson Brask, in recognition of his extraordinary courage and self-sacrifice during an attempt to rescue a young girl from a capsized fishing vessel in the waters of Nappstraumen in Norway in 2025.
Mr. Brask, Chief Mate and diver of the rescue vessel RS 125 Det Norske Veritas of the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue, was nominated for the award by the Government of Norway and by the International Federation of Shipmasters’ Associations (IFSMA).
Following a review of more than 50 nominations by an Assessment Panel and further scrutiny by a distinguished Panel of Judges, the IMO Council, during its 137th session in London on 7 July 2026, endorsed the recommendation to bestow Mr. Brask with the honour.
In his submission to the Council, IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez said:
“By knowingly accepting extraordinary personal risk in an effort to save a young life, Mr. Brask made the ultimate sacrifice and embodied the highest traditions of maritime search and rescue service.”
The award will be presented posthumously at the IMO Awards Ceremony scheduled for 14 December 2026.
A selfless act of bravery
On 26 September 2025, in the Lofoten archipelago in Norway, a chartered fishing vessel carrying four adult tourists, two children and a fishing guide, suddenly capsized due to strong tidal currents.
Following a distress call, a rescue helicopter from the 330 Squadron and the rescue vessel RS 125 Det Norske Veritas, with Mr. Brask on board, were dispatched to the scene.
They found six survivors on the overturned hull, while one child remained missing in the water. Mr. Brask braved extremely cold waters and powerful, unpredictable currents to search for the young girl.
Operating with limited communications and challenging underwater conditions, he conducted a determined search beneath and around the capsized vessel.
After a short while, he was recovered from the water unresponsive and could not be revived despite sustained efforts to save him. The child remains missing.
The Council recognized Mr. Brask’s exceptional courage, selflessness and self-sacrifice during the underwater rescue attempt.
Certificates of Commendation
The Council also agreed that Certificates of Commendation be awarded to the following nominees, recognizing their acts of bravery at sea:
SN2 Nick-Nick S. Udasan and SN2 Ian Glenn B. Morfe, members of the Coast Guard Sea Marshal Force, Philippine Coast Guard
- Nominated by the Philippines for their leadership during the evacuation of the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, which suffered structural failures and sank at night. The two officers alerted rescue authorities, distributed life jackets and, after the ship sank, spent more than two hours in the water helping other survivors, contributing to the survival of 316 passengers.
Captain Thomas Michael Leaf and the crew of the M/T Stena Immaculate
- Nominated by the United States for their firefighting response after their tanker collided with a container vessel, triggering an explosion and fire involving aviation fuel cargo. Their disciplined response enabled the safe evacuation of all 23 crew members and averted a major environmental disaster.
Letters of Commendation
The Council agreed to award Letters of Commendations to the following:
Captain Asif Ahmed, Assistant Harbour Master, Chittagong Port Authority
- Nominated by Bangladesh, for his ship-handling skills in averting a major collision after the LPG carrier Gas Harmony lost propulsion in the Karnaphuli Channel.
Captain Swadesh Tripathi and the crew of the M/V Maersk Karachi
- Nominated by China, for recovering nine survivors from the tug Leo in severe weather in the Indian Ocean.
Petty Officer Elise Massin, diver of the Dauphin helicopter detachment of Flotilla 35F, Tahiti, French Navy
- Nominated by France, for her role in two rescue operations spanning over seven hours, helping save three people in distress in rough seas in the South Pacific.
Crew members of the helicopter detachment of Flotilla 2F, Maupertus, Lanvéoc-Poulmic Naval Air Base, French Navy
- Nominated by France, for rescuing four fishers from the vessel Perle D’Albâtre during Storm Benjamin.
Captain Ioannis-Eleftherios Alexiou and the crew of the M/V Akti
- Nominated by Greece, for rescuing five people from the sinking speedboat SN V near the Port of Itaqui, Brazil.
Captain Sachin Kulkarni and the crew of the INS Trikand, Indian Navy
- Nominated by India, for nearly three hours of firefighting aboard the M/T Falcon in the Gulf of Aden after an explosion, recovering the remains of two missing crew members and averting a pollution incident.
Captain Atla Mohan and the crew of the INS Tabar, Indian Navy
- Nominated by India, for a two-day firefighting and rescue operation after fire broke out in the engine room of the oil tanker M/V Yi Cheng 6 in the Gulf of Oman, evacuating eight crew members.
P/Adh Preetam Singh Yadav, diver of the ICGS C-147, Coast Guard Station Mayabunder, Indian Coast Guard
- Nominated by India, for diving into near-zero-visibility waters to help rescue all seven survivors, including a five-month-old infant, of a helicopter that crash-landed in a mangrove creek.
Crew of helicopter Rescue 115, Irish Coast Guard
- Nominated by Ireland for a complex winching operation that saved 14 fishers from the foundering vessel Fastnet near Dingle Harbour.
Captain Fumitaka Okamura and the crew of the LNG carrier LNG Saturn
- Nominated by Japan, for manoeuvring their 288-metre vessel to rescue six survivors from the sunk cargo ship KM. Limadai 8 in the Malacca Strait.
Captain Mandeep Singh Bakhshi and the crew of the M/T Horten
- Nominated by Liberia, for diverting more than 110 nautical miles to rescue a solo rower adrift in a life raft in the mid-Atlantic Ocean.
Special recognition for merchant vessels involved in migrant rescue
Four nominations of merchant vessels involved in rescuing migrants at sea, submitted by the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kuwait (two nominations) and Poland, would receive Special Recognition certificates for merchant vessels and crew involved in the rescue of mixed migrants at sea.
About the Award
The IMO Honours for Exceptional Bravery at Sea are awarded annually to recognize individuals or groups who, at risk to their own lives, perform acts of exceptional bravery in attempting to save life at sea or to prevent or mitigate damage to the marine environment.
Nominations are first reviewed by an Assessment Panel, chaired by the Director of the Legal Affairs and External Relations Division and comprising representatives of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA), IFSMA and the International Salvage Union (ISU).
The recommendations were then considered by a Panel of Judges, chaired by the Chair of the IMO Council and attended by the Chairs of the Maritime Safety Committee, the Legal Committee, the Technical Cooperation Committee and the Facilitation Committee, before being submitted to the Council for endorsement.
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