Man Saved from Drowning AFRAS Honors C-PORT Member

05-Dec-2018 C-PORT (Conference of Professional Operators for Response Towing) and AFRAS (Association For Rescue At Sea) celebrated and presented its distinguished lifesaving award at the 32nd C-PORT Conference and Membership Meeting held on November 12 at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista, Orlando, FL. Presenting the award on behalf of AFRAS was Mr. Charles “Skip” Bowen, Master Chief of the USCG (retired), to Captain Blake Gifford and Captain Julie Lindell, Sea Tow Great South Bay.

This is the ninth year that AFRAS presented this prestigious award to a C-PORT member.  In 2010, AFRAS had expressed a desire to establish a program, in cooperation with C-PORT, to annually recognize a deserving member of C-PORT that has shown exceptional skill and determination to save lives during a rescue incident in the maritime environment.  The Award is to be conferred on an individual or group of individuals who perform exceptional acts in attempting to save life.  Instances where the rescuer places their own life at risk are given highest consideration.  Captain Ryan Bayley, owner of Sea Tow Great South Bay added, “Also notable is that Gifford is just 20 years old and Lindell is 22 years old!” 

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