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Posthumous Bravery Award for rescue diver who gave his life trying to save a child

Norwegian chief mate Adrian Willyson Brask to receive IMO’s highest honour for bravery at sea

Dr.G.R.Balakrishnan Jul 08 2026 Trade Bodies (World Marine)

Posthumous Bravery Award for rescue diver who gave his life trying to save a child

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.

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. 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 Council recognized Mr. Brask’s exceptional courage, selflessness and self-sacrifice during the underwater rescue attempt.

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