Merchant Navy Medal: Dedication, bravery and fortitude recognised

Merchant Navy Day on 3 September saw the announcement of the 2024 recipients of the Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service.

The UK state award – part of a suite of honours that include the MBE and OBE – this year includes nine seafarers lauded for their heroic work in saving lives at sea, and for services to training and education, welfare, safety and diversity.

Four of these were superyacht master and long-standing Nautilus member Captain Richard Gascoyne Kirkby and his crewmembers Ben Owen Bramwell, Trystan Tanner and Ashley Oliver West, who answered a mayday call by a sinking vessel near Crete on 14 June 2023.

As the only vessel able to attend other than the Greek coastguard, the seafarers made the perilous journey in the Mediterranean in the dark of night and safely rescued 100 people. Four other people were rescued by the Greek coastguard.

Captain Kirkby said: 'After half a century at sea from cadet to master mariner, working and living in an industry I care passionately about, I am honoured and humbled to receive such a prestigious award.

'The award belongs to every member of my crew who rescued 100 souls last year near Greece in horrific circumstances.

'This medal serves as a reminder that as seafarers we may be called upon at any time to help others, and I accept it on behalf of all those who dedicate themselves to the safety of life at sea.'

Mental health champion and founder of the Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI) Steven Jones also receives a medal for his work in tackling mental health issues among seafarers, alongside his human rights work in 2017 to help rescue the Chennai Six – a group of six British maritime security guards wrongly imprisoned in an Indian jail.

Mr Jones set up the SHI in 2015. It monitors crew mood across the maritime sector and helps encourage shipping companies and maritime bodies provide targeted support where it is needed. The index has particularly shone a spotlight on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on seafarers' mental health.

Mr Jones said: 'I'm thrilled to receive the Merchant Navy Medal. It's absolutely vital that seafarers have a voice, are listened to by the industry and seen by society.

'I'm glad I am able to shine a light on the important work that seafarers do and I’ll continue to champion them in the years to come.'

The annual Merchant Navy Day on 3 September celebrates the contributions and vital role of the British Merchant Navy in global trade and national security. The Merchant Navy is made up of British merchant ships that transport cargo and people during times of peace and war.

The recipients of the 2024 Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service will receive their medal on 5 November in a state ceremony.

All the recipients of the 2024 Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service are:

• Captain Richard Gascoyne Kirkby, for services to support, welfare and rescue
• Captain Nicholas Lee, for services to safety, training and education
• Captain Jeremy Kirwan Mooney, for services to innovation, training and education
• Captain Louise Sara, for services to welfare, safety, diversity and inclusion
• Mark Bobby, for services to training and education
• Ben Owen Bramwell, for services to support, safety and rescue
• Steven Mark Jones, for services to safety, welfare and training
• Trystan Tanner, for services to support, welfare and rescue
• Ashley Oliver West, for services to support, welfare and rescue