BoatU.S. Towing Services honored 12 of its TowBoatU.S. and Vessel Assist captains with the annual BoatU.S. Woody Pollack Lifesaving Award at a ceremony that capped the group's recent annual conference in Long Beach, Calif.

"When the normal routine of dropping off gas or providing a tow back to the launch ramp is interrupted by a life-threatening mayday call on the radio, our captains stepped in," said Jerry Cardarelli, BoatU.S. vice president of towing services, in a statement.

"They are not in the rescue business, but without hesitation they went out to save fellow boaters," he added. "We are very proud of their heroic actions."

Click here for the list of honorees.