The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore has announced that the Thome Group has won its ‘Outstanding Contribution to Search and Rescue Efforts in 2020’ award during a virtual live streamed ceremony as part of the Authority’s International Safety@Sea awards 2021.

The MPA of Singapore was impressed with Thome’s rescue operation involving one of its managed vessels, the KSL Santiago.

By working closely with the US Coast Guard, the crew of the bulker managed to rescue two people from a sailboat that had been disabled by bad weather 300 nautical miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

In the announcement the MPA of Singapore praised the actions of the Master and crew of the KSL Santiago which immediately changed course to go to the rescue of the sailing boat after having received a weak Mayday message. The bulker also answered a call from a search and rescue crew aboard a C-130 Hercules aircraft asking for assistance with the rescue.

Thankfully no injuries were sustained by the rescued sailors who were able to access the KSL Santiago via an embarkation ladder lowered by the crew.

Although the award was not presented in person due to the current pandemic restrictions in Singapore, the MPA will be sending Thome Group a certificate and letters of appreciation to crew members.

“I am really proud of the way the Master and crew of the KSL Santiago reacted in this emergency situation,” said Olav Nortun, Chief Executive Officer of the Thome Group. “While we do train for these sorts of eventualities, it is gratifying to know that our action plans and procedures in a real-life emergency situation have resulted in a successful outcome,” he added.