The Sea Gallantry Medal (SGM) is given to those who show extreme acts of bravery while at sea in the UK or the Commonwealth.
It is given by the Board of Trade and both British citizens and foreigners who are on British ships or aid in saving the lives of British citizens while at sea are eligible to receive the Sea Gallantry Medal.
The SGM was first created from the Royal Warrant Shipping Acts of 1854 and 1894. To date, the SGM medals are the only ones that are given throughout the UK from parliament.
The medal was not actually intended to be worn but was made smaller and wearable in 1903 and has the monarch’s crown on it. The SGM also has the words “Awarded by the Board of Trade for gallantry in saving life” embossed across the Royal Cipher.
On the back of the SGM there is a picture of a man that is calling towards a lifeboat and a small picture of a man that that is helping a rescued sailor, woman, and child on a raft.
It is affixed to a scarlet ribbon and has two white stripes that run down vertically.
