Sea Gallantry Medal

The Sea Gallantry Medal (SGM) (officially 'The Board of Trade Medal for Saving Life at Sea'), is an award for civil gallantry at sea in Great Britain and the Commonwealth. The Merchant Shipping Act 1854 permitted the issue of this award and SGMs were first struck in 1855. They were first awarded either for 'humanity' (where there was little risk to the life of the recipient), or for gallantry (where there was significant risk to the recipient).

Recipients are entitled to the post-nomial "SGM". There have been two awards of the Sea Gallantry Medal (Bronze) since 1974: one in 1981 and the other in 1989. No Sea Gallantry Medals (Silver) have been awarded since this time.

Notable recipients

 * Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock
 * Lieutenant Max Horton – later Admiral Sir Max Horton
 * Captain Edward Evans – later Admiral The Lord Mountevans
 * Lieutenant Fogarty Fegen – later Captain of HMS Jervis Bay and Commodore of Convoy HX 84
 * Lieutenant John Jellicoe – later Admiral of the Fleet The Lord Jellicoe