Three Airwing officers will receive commendations for courage following a daring mid-air rescue in Bass Strait last year.

The trio, Constable Peter Dillon and Leading Senior Constables Mark Weekley and Bradley Pascoe, responded to a mayday call from a stricken Russian yacht stuck in stormy seas on 19 April.

A 47-year-old Russian sailor was en route to New Zealand as part of an around-the-world trip when he got into trouble around 110 nautical miles south east of Mallacoota.

He set off his Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) activation just before 2am, as waves rose to 10 metres in height.

The Airwing officers battled the wild weather to fly to Bass Strait.

They located the man in the stricken yacht and winched him to safety.

The man suffered from mild hypothermia and made a full recovery.

The eight-metre yacht was abandoned.

Today the trio will receive Victoria Police Medals for Courage during a special awards ceremony at the Airwing in honour of their life-saving efforts.