Patrick van Eyssen Wins IMRF People’s Choice Award 2021

The votes have been counted and the winner of the IMRF People’s Choice Award 2021 has been announced.

Patrick van Eyssen, from the National Sea Rescue Institute in South Africa and winner of the IMRF Vladimir Maksimov Award for Lifetime Achievement 2021, has been chosen as this years’ winner of the IMRF People’s Choice Award.

People from all around the world have voted on the IMRF facebook page, ‘liking’ or ‘sharing’ the posts about the winners and finalists in this years’ IMRF Awards (2021).

Patrick van Eyssen won convincingly with the most likes and shares, gathered over the voting period.

The winner was announced at the IMRF’s annual European Regional Meeting today, 14 October 2021.

Theresa Crossley, CEO, IMRF said: “Our heartfelt congratulations go to Patrick. He has given so many years of service to the maritime SAR sector, saving many lives and making an immeasurable contribution to the National Sea Rescue Institute, as a volunteer, a coxswain and station commander. But it’s not just his contribution today that counts, he has trained a huge number of people who will follow in his footsteps, continuing his legacy way into the future.”

Patrick van Eyssen has been an operational National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) volunteer for over 50 years, accumulating more than 8,000 hours as a volunteer at sea and taking part in 167 rescue operations.

He has twice served as Station Commander of Cape Town’s flagship station and has a reputation for running a tight station with great care and kindness.

The IMRF thanks all those who took part in the voting for the IMRF People’s Choice Award on the IMRF’s facebook page and congratulates all of the IMRF Award winners and finalists 2021, for their outstanding SAR actions, skills expertise and commitment to saving lives in the worlds’ waters.

IMRF People’s Choice Award

IMRF Awards 2021 - People's Choice Award - 15 October 2021

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