Shipwrecked Mariners Society honours rescuers

Captain Patrik Norrgård and Captain Marek Rowiński of the P&O Ferry, MV Norstream accept their award from Admiral Sir George Zambellas.

Outstanding acts of skill and gallantry have been recognised at the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society’s awards ceremony in London.

Two merchant ship captains and a Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeguard were recognised for saving lives at sea at the national Skill and Gallantry Awards, now in their 166th year.

Admiral Sir George Zambellas, who is president of the maritime charity, presented the Lady Swaythling Trophy for Outstanding Seamanship to Captain Patrik Norrgård of the P&O Ferry Norstream, for coming to the rescue of a sinking ship in the Dover Traffic Separation Scheme in January.

He and his Chief Officer, Captain Marek Rowiński, were honoured for the timely rescue of the seven-man crew of Fluvius Tamar.

An individual commendation was awarded to Jamie Wilson, Captain of the UK-flagged ROV support vessel Deep Vision, for conducting nine rescue missions that saved more than 900 migrants in the space of four days north of the coast of Libya.

Senior RNLI lifeguard at Croyde Beach in North Devon, Freddie Hedger, was also awarded an individual commendation for the rescue of an unconscious body boarder who had found herself in serious trouble in difficult sea conditions.

Awards were also presented to charity volunteers for outstanding service and commitment to the society’s work.

The society assists those suffering financial hardship during or after a life at sea.


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