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Courageous crew and other outstanding contributors to maritime honoured in the 2024 Merchant Navy Medal awards
11 November 2024
Outstanding seafarer contributions to maritime for bravery in the yacht sector, as well as across training, safety, diversity and welfare, were recognised during the 2024 award ceremony for a prestigious UK state award. Deborah McPherson reports
Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, presented the Merchant Navy Medal, an annual award for meritorious service, in her capacity as Master of The Corporation of Trinity House at a special ceremony held at Trinity House in London on 5 November 2024.
Nine medals were presented to seafarers for outstanding work across maritime support, safety, and rescue at sea, and for services to training and education, safety, welfare, and diversity and inclusion, among others.
Captain Richard Kirkby, a superyacht captain who has commanded some of the largest yachts in the world and also served on a tanker during the Falkland Islands conflict was presented with a Medal, along with three crew, for helping save 100 of 750 refugees from a sinking vessel near Crete in June 2023. Another four were rescued by the Greek coastguard.
The three rescue boat crew from the nearly 4,000GT superyacht who supported Capt Kirkby – bosun's mate Ben Bramwell, deckhand and ship diver Trystan Tanner who was a lookout for the officer of the watch on the bridge at the time of the mayday call, and bosun Ashley West – also each received a Medal, recognising their role and for services to support, safety and rescue.
Captain Kirkby said: 'Receiving the award and meeting The Princess Royal like that was the main highlight of my seagoing career, it was an amazing experience.'
The yacht sector was well represented at the award ceremony and the reception afterwards, with a total of 12 crew from the rescue yacht attending, including Capt Kirkby, and the three crew awardees. In a joint statement afterwards, the yacht crew attending the event added: 'It was good to see younger people getting awards, because they are the future of the industry and in a sector that's growing within the Merchant Navy. So, it was nice to see that was reflected in the awards.'
It is good to see younger people getting awards, because they are the future of the industry Yacht crew supporting colleagues receiving Merchant Navy Medals
Captain Jerry Mooney received a Medal in recognition for his services to innovation, training and education. Capt Mooney has had a compliance role ashore with a major maritime authority since 2019 and has been actively involved in the training and mentoring of seafarers. He is a former chair of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners' education and training committee.
Capt Mooney said: 'To be presented with the Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service by HRH the Princess Royal at Trinity House along with the other recipients was truly remarkable.
'The Princess spent time with each of the recipients and guests. Her knowledge of the industry is impressive, and it was obvious to me from our conversation that HRH not only takes a genuine interest in the industry, but in the training of future British seafarers.'
Eligibility for the Medal is limited to those who have served, or are serving, in the Merchant Navy or Fishing Fleets of the United Kingdom, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and the British Overseas Territories who have shown exemplary service. Trinity House is a charity dedicated to safeguarding shipping and seafarers, with a statutory duty as a General Lighthouse Authority.
The Merchant Navy Medal is managed by the UK Department for Transport. Maritime minister Mike Kane also attended and spoke about the government’s commitment to seafarers and training, wage protection, safety standards, and the need for diversity in maritime.
Cadets from Warsash Maritime School escorted the entry of the Red Ensign flag at the beginning and end of the ceremony. Deck cadet Aidan Kirby gave a brief history of the Merchant Navy. Deputy master at Trinity House Rear Admiral Iain Lower also attended, and the citations during the medal presentations were read by Gemma Griffin a member of the Merchant Navy Medal Board and vice president of HR Crewing, DFD.
The 2024 Merchant Navy Medal awardees
The recipients of the 2024 Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service in order of presentation:
- Mark Bobby, chair of the Merchant Navy Training Board, for services to training and education
- Ben Owen Bramwell, yacht crew, for services to support, safety and rescue
- Steven Mark Jones, founder of the Seafarers Happiness Index, for services to safety, welfare and training
- Captain Richard Gascoyne Kirkby, master mariner, for services to support, welfare and rescue
- Captain Nicholas Lee, a former Port of London pilot, for services to safety, training and education
- Captain Jeremy Kirwan Mooney, master, for services to innovation, training and education
- Captain Louise Sara, director maritime standards at Carnival Corporation and a fleet captain, for services to welfare, safety, diversity and inclusion
- Trystan Tanner, yacht crew, for services to support, welfare and rescue
- Ashley Oliver West, yacht crew, for services to support, welfare and rescue
Image: Capt Mooney with Nautilus deputy general secretary Olu Tunde, who also attended the event on behalf of the Union. Image: Nautilus International
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