The Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society makes honorary awards of medals, parchments, certificates and letters of commendation
to people who voluntarily put their own lives or safety at risk by saving or attempting to save other people who are in danger in cases of
shipwreck, drowning, fire or any other hazards.
Nominations Open for the 2025 Derbyshire Award for Maritime Safety
Nominations are now open for this year’s MV Derbyshire Award, presented by the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society. This annual award honours outstanding contributions to maritime safety and is named in memory of the MV Derbyshire, a Liverpool-registered ship tragically lost in 1980 with all 44 people on board during Typhoon Orchid. It recognises those working to prevent similar tragedies at sea.
The first recipients in 2022 were Survitec, recognised for their commitment to life-saving safety equipment and innovation. In 2023, the award went to Recall Recover for their pioneering trauma-informed approach to investigating maritime incidents and supporting crew wellbeing.
To nominate an individual or organisation making a real difference to maritime safety, please submit your entry by 31 July 2025.
Since the Society was first formed in 1839 it has awarded over 9,200 medals, medallions and bars in gold, silver or bronze (of which number 51 have been in memoriam medallions) as well as a countless number of parchments, certificates and letters of commendation.
Although there is no specific boundary defining the area over which the Society has jurisdiction, by general agreement with the Royal Humane Society, the Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society nowadays restricts its activities to rescues arising in Merseyside, Lancashire and Cheshire, or anywhere at sea if the vessel involved is Liverpool registered (or the rescuer/salvor lives in the Merseyside, Lancashire or Cheshire area).
Nominate anyone who has carried out/undertaken an act of bravery, or an organisation or individual in the North West region who has made a significant contribution in the previous year.