Maritime heroes to be honoured, but do you know any others?
THE Shipwrecked Mariners' Society is calling on members of the maritime community and air/sea rescue organisations across the UK to nominate colleagues and fellow volunteers for their heroic acts of bravery at sea for its annual Skill and Gallantry Awards. The Society, which supports ex-merchant seafarers, fishermen and their dependents in times of financial hardship, has been presenting the awards every year since 1851. Last year saw crews and individuals from four dramatic sea rescues honoured. Among last year's recipients were; the helicopter crew of:- 'Rescue 193' from 771 Squadron, RNAS Culdrose, who carried out the daring rescue of 5 French fishermen from their sinking trawler; Petty Officer (Aircrewman) Russell Adams, also from 771 Squadron, was recognised for his role in a separate incident; RNLI Helmsman Derek Pusey for his part in the challenging rescue of 2 men cut off by the tide; his colleague, Crewman Clive Williams, was also honoured for swimming to the casualties; and finally, RNLI Coxswain Paul Legendre was recognised for his outstanding leadership, seamanship and perseverance in searching for a missing boy for 6 hours. Nominations for this year's awards are now open and the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society is calling on the maritime community to forward examples of outstanding acts of bravery and heroism.
To submit nominations (required by 8 May, 2015) contact via:-
Malcolm Williams, Chief Executive, Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, 1 North Pallant, Chichester, PO19 1TL.
You
can also send an
email or
call 01243 789329.
In the last year the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society handled 650 new applications
for assistance and distributed £1.4million across 2,200 cases of need.
Malcolm Williams, Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, said:- "The Society's annual Skill and Gallantry Awards are an important event in the maritime calendar and a chance to honour all those unsung heroes who risk their lives to keep seafarers' and members of the public safe. Every year I am struck by the outstanding qualities shown by the men and women who are nominated and the courage they display in helping those in distress at sea."
For more information about the awards visit:- ShipWreckedMariners.Org.UK.
