Ten heroes were recognised yesterday at the annual Bermuda Bravery Awards ceremony at Government House.

Governor Sir John Vereker honoured: Holly Barany, Martha Kirkland, Christopher Thomas, Preston Mallory, Stephen Oughton, Ernest McCreight, Tristan Martin, Jonathan Trott, P.c. Robert Butterfield, and Raymond Todd.

Screaming coming from the heavy surf alerted Holly Barany and Martha Kirkland, who were exercising on Horseshoe Bay. They grabbed torpedo rescue devices and swam out to save a near drowning swimmer and another person who ran into difficulty trying to help.

P.c. Robert Butterfield arrested a man within moments of a tourist being seriously stabbed. He was also responsible for the re-capture of a prisoner in Devonshire Marsh.

Stephen Oughton swam out about 70 yards to rescue two powerboat operators who were ejected from their boat when it overturned. He pulled them safely to shore by gripping their life jackets. They were unable to swim because of their injuries.

Neighbour Preston Mallory spotted smoke coming from a Prospect home. He quickly climbed on to the roof to enter the house, and save those inside. Risking his life, he continued searching for them until the smoke drove him out. Luckily, no one was at home.

Without hesitation Ernest McCreight jumped into dark water in Ely?s Harbour to save a woman who was stuck between a barge and a dock. He managed to hold the barge back from crushing the woman.

Under the Bermuda Bravery Awards Association, all names had to be submitted by members of the public.

Despite asking the public to come forward with candidates to be honoured for acts of heroism associated with Hurricane Fabian, no names were submitted.

Association president Mark Selley said: ?Any names nominated for heroic deeds involving Hurricane Fabian would be considered for next year?s ceremony.?

The recipients names were submitted by the public and were judged by the Bermuda Bravery Awards Association.

The ten recipients received a cedar-framed certificate from the Governor, describing their act of heroism.

The Bermuda Bravery Awards Association?s mission is to launch a more positive and thoughtful approach to acknowledging those who go above and beyond the call of duty in helping others during life-threatening situations.