The NYK-operated pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) Hercules Leader has been recognized with a special award from the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) for the rescue of six yachtsmen in distress off the coast of Bermuda on January 19, 2017. AFRAS is a non-profit foundation with charitable status devoted to supporting services concerned with saving lives at sea.

An award ceremony and reception was held in Washington, D.C. on September 13, 2018. Afterward, on October 15, a representative of the RORO Division of NYK Line (North America) Inc. visited the vessel in Newark terminal to present the award to the captain and crew.

Award ceremony Center, Bill Ferguson, vice president of Security at NYK Line (North America) Inc.; third from left, Satoshi Yoshikawa, vice president of NYK Line (North America) Inc. On Hercules Leader Right, Award presented to Capt. Bogdan Dobre of Hercules Leader; left, Satoshi Yoshikawa, vice president of NYK Line (North America) Inc. (Capt. Eugen State was at the helm of Hercules Leader during the rescue operation.) Rescue operation