Norwegian chief mate Adrian Willyson Brask died trying to rescue a young child from a capsized fishing vessel in the waters of Nappstraumen in Norway in 2025.
A selfless act of bravery
A chartered fishing vessel carrying four adult tourists, two children and a fishing guide, suddenly capsized due to strong tidal currents on 26 September 2025, in the Lofoten archipelago in Norway.
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 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery
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).
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.
The IMO Council endorsed the recommendation to bestow Mr. Brask with the honour post-humously.
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.
