The Death at Sea Justice Campaign was recognised with a Certification of Merit at this week’s UK Maritime Media Awards.
Human Rights at Sea was nominated alongside high-quality fellow nominees for ‘Most Influential Use of Social and Immersive Media’ for the campaign led by the film’s director and impact producer, Sara Pipernos.
Death at Sea chronicles the flawed investigation into the untimely death of fisheries observer, Eritara Aati Kaierua, through the eyes of the family he left behind.
Although the team did not take home the category’s main prize, the Maritime Foundation chose to honour two additional nominees with a Certificate of Merit for their contributions to creating a safer maritime environment.
The Death at Sea Justice Campaign was the first recognition announced of the night.
Alongside Ms. Pipernos, HRAS Founder, David Hammond, and Death at Sea’s Director of Photography, Mikey Sneddon were in attendance to accept the certificate.
“This was such a special recognition because it was the first for Death at Sea’s Justice Campaign, which leverages the power of the original short film to advocate for Eritara’s family and for all fisheries observers working at sea. Making the film was only one step toward that goal, and so to see the Justice Campaign drive real impact is unbelievably rewarding.” said Sara Pipernos.
David Hammond commented: "The team have worked hard to consistently deliver high-quality online and film advocacy in support of Eritara's family.
The Maritime Media Awards were held on Thursday, 20 November at Six Park Place, London, and celebrates the best of the UK’s journalists, authors, filmmakers, and digital creators. Other award-winners and nominees included hard-hitting reporting and films from the BBC, Netflix, Channel 4, and Sky.
Human Rights at Sea is also thrilled to announce that the film will be publicly available on Human Rights Day, 10 December 2025.
Further information on where to watch will be coming soon.
From film festivals in France to the Solomon Islands, international government meetings in London to Bangkok, and countless other screenings at universities and NGOs across the globe, the team felt it was time to make the film widely accessible to ensure Eritara’s case, and that of all observers who have been lost, is not forgotten.
The team extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported the Death at Sea Impact Campaign over the past two years, including our longtime partners on the film, Blue Marine Foundation and the Sustainable Communities and Fisheries Trust, with early funding from The Seafarers Charity.
See Our Campaign
ENDS.
Source: Human Rights at Sea 2025. Reporting by Sara Pipernos.
AI. AI was not used in the drafting of this article.
Photo Credit: Mikey Sneddon, David Hammond 2025.
Contact: If you have any questions, please write to us at enquiries@hrasi.org.
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