Medal for Saving Life at Sea

Sea Gallantry Medal
Ribbon of the SGM
Awarded by United Kingdom
Type	Civil decoration
Eligibility	British subjects, or to foreigners serving in British ships, foreigners who have displayed gallantry in foreign ships in saving the lives of British subjects are eligible for Board of Trade Gold and Silver Medals ‘for Foreign Services’.
Awarded for	Saving life at sea
Statistics
Last awarded	1989
Order of Wear
Next (higher)	Constabulary Medal (Ireland)
Next (lower)	Indian Order of Merit (Civil)
Related	Queen's 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.