British merchant seamen honoured

The medals recognise meritorious service by British merchant seafarers and other people who have made a significant contribution to merchant shipping. The list of MN Medal recipients is announced on Trafalgar Day – 21 October – and includes 12 seafarers who are being honoured for achievements in their seafaring careers and three people, honoris causa, for services to seafarers and shipping.

Three seafarers are being awarded the medal for courage afloat – two who were involved in the rescue of a man overboard in difficult conditions, and the third who rescued a badly injured colleague when a fire broke out in an engine room.

The medals will be presented at an investiture to be held at Trinity House in London on 13 December 2010.

The MN Medal winners for 2010 are:

• Captain David Bancroft for services to merchant shipping, especially as Officer-in-Charge of UK Maritime Trade Operations, Dubai, 2007-2009
• Brian Barry, National Standard Bearer, Merchant Navy Association, for services to enhancing the profile of merchant shipping and merchant seafarers
• Tim Brant, National Secretary, Merchant Navy Association, for services to the welfare of retired merchant seafarers and to the Merchant Seafarers’ Veterans Badge
• Captain Rex Cooper OBE for services to the welfare of serving and retired members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary
• Chief engineer P.E. Doherty (Klaret Marine) for services to merchant shipping and to ship safety systems
• Geoff Chandler, Senior Superintendent, Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, Hull, for services to the welfare of serving and retired fishermen and their communities. Honorary.
• J. Fellowes, formerly fisherman, Brixham, Devon, for brave conduct in the rescue of man overboard from trawler Korenbloem, English Channel, 6 November 2009
• Captain Duncan Glass OBE, Rental Warden, Corporation of Trinity House, for services to navigational safety and to seafarers’ charities
• J. Graham, fisherman, Kilkeel, Co. Down, for brave conduct in the rescue of crew member from an engine room fire aboard trawler Celtic Harvester on 30 October 2009
• Chief engineer Charlie Hill (P&O Cruises) for services to the cruise liner sector
• Dieter Jaenicke, Chairman and Managing Director, Viking Recruitment Ltd. for services to merchant shipping, especially in the expansion of British officer cadet opportunities
• J.P. Kimble, fisherman, Paignton, Devon, for brave conduct in the rescue of man overboard from trawler Korenbloem in the English Channel
• Captain Michael Lloyd RD, Senior Marine Advisor, Witherby Seamanship International Ltd, for services to merchant shipping and to maritime education and publishing
• Revd William McCrea, (honorary) for services to the welfare of retired seafarers, especially alumni of the National Sea Training School/College/Centre, Gravesend.
• Peter McEwen MBE, Secretary, Nautilus Welfare Fund, (honorary) for services to the welfare of serving and retired merchant seafarers and their dependents.
• Revd Kenneth Martin, Sailors’ Society Port Chaplain, Felixstowe (honorary) for services to merchant shipping and to retired merchant seafarers and their dependents
• Captain David Morris, Master, ERRV Grampian Corsair (North Star Shipping Ltd.) for services to offshore oil rig safety and to the development of best practice in this sector
• Captain John Sail, National Chairman, Merchant Navy Association, for services to merchant shipping and to the welfare of retired merchant seafarers