Seafaring Heroes to be Honoured: Maritime Charity Calls for Nominations

National maritime charity, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, is calling on members of the maritime and rescue communities to nominate those who have demonstrated outstanding courage and expertise in aiding those in peril at sea, for its 168th Skill and Gallantry Awards.

Since 1851, the Society has presented the awards to those who have shown bravery and skill in rescues at sea and this year’s awards will be presented at the Charity’s AGM in October.

Among last year’s recipients was Steve Chamberlain (above), a deck officer for Wightlink, who received an Individual Commendation for his courageous rescue of a man who fell from Gunwharf Quays. His quick thinking, determination and exceptional bravery ensured the rescue of the man from perilous conditions in Portsmouth harbour.

Founded after the tragic loss of a fleet of fishing boats in 1839, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society provides financial support to individuals in need who have worked, or are still working at sea in the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets, as well as their dependants. Last year the Society distributed more than £1.4m in grants in over 2,000 cases of need and it received 503 new applications for assistance.

MV Cheshire rescuers, pictured here with Society President Sir George Zambellas, were honoured at the 2018 Awards.

Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Captain Justin Osmond, said: “Last year we recognised large-scale rescue operations out at sea as well as individual acts of bravery on our shores. We hope to honour many more seafarers and rescue crews who consistently demonstrate their courage and dedication to keeping others safe at sea.”

“The Society has been presenting these awards for 168 years and we are once again calling for nominations for those who have acted with skill and gallantry, so that we, and the wider community, can rightly celebrate their tremendous efforts.”

The Society is calling for nominations of acts of rescue that took place between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019.

To submit a nomination for this year’s Skill and Gallantry Awards, contact:

Capt Justin Osmond RN, Chief Executive
Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, 1 North Pallant, Chichester, PO19 1TL
Tel: 01243 789329
general@shipwreckedmariners.org.uk

The closing date for nominations is 12 noon, Friday 3 May 2019.

*Photo credits: Shipwrecked Mariners' Society