Tommy Wharton (pictured), director of sport performance at the Canadian Sport Center Ontario, was awarded The Hanson Rescue Award by the US Sailing Safety-at-Sea Committee for his decisive, quick-thinking actions.

Wharton was at his final regatta as a Canadian National Sailing Team Coach when he rescued two men who were bobbing adrift in Long Island Sound during the 2009 Star North American Championship.

Wharton quickly pulled the men out, supplied the older one - who had been in the water for nearly an hour - with extra clothes to warm him up and delivered him to the race committee boat where he could be monitored for hypothermia and other complications.

Wharton, who never leaves the dock without his personal flotation device, a whistle, radio and spare clothes, said: "The incident could have unfolded a whole lot worse.

"Timing was a key factor in the rescue.

"Had they drifted 50 feet in the other direction, I could very easily have mistaken them for crab pots.

"They were so far off the course.

"I always have a couple of dry bags full of extra clothing.

"I gave him a whole kit of gear to try to warm him up - you’re never warm enough in those conditions.

"This incident crystallised the debate between allowing coach boats and support boats to be out on the race course or not.

"It is unfortunate that an event has to happen to encourage protocol change.

"It highlighted the gap between the support available at some regattas and the assistance that spectator boats and coach boats can give.

"In all conditions, particularly when weather deteriorates quickly, coaches are there to ensure the safety of the sailors and to make racing better for everybody."

Star crew, Tyler Bjorn, reflected, “It was difficult to see the shore and the marks that day.

"There were some pretty significant puffs and the sea state was rough.

"Losing someone overboard would be a tricky situation for anyone, especially if you did not have a coach or support boat.

"Tommy was lucky to have come upon those guys or we would be having a totally different discussion…"

Following the event, Wharton assumed new responsibilities with Canada’s national and provincial sports organisations in rowing, canoe, kayak, beach volleyball, athletics and sailing to improve competitiveness at international events.

Having been a Canadian national coach for five years and coached at 10 Laser World Championships, two Olympics and led the Canadian sailing team at the Pan American Games, Wharton has participated in a number of rescues.