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Master and crew bravery recognised in Mission to Seafarers's annual awards

10 December 2021

A master was among the winners of The Mission to Seafarers's (MtS) annual Seafarers' Awards, announced in Singapore during a virtual event held on 8 December 2021.

The MtS global awards recognise significant contributions to improving the welfare of seafarers. A new award for Rescue at Sea introduced in 2021 was won by Captain Rolando Dacanay Jr, who shared this award with his crew at K Line Ship Management.

Capt Dacanay was the master of MT Genuine Venus when he and his crew coordinated and engaged in a night-time rescue operation in rough seas for a man overboard while they were navigating the Bay of Biscay. 

The MT Genuine Venus was travelling from Algeciras to Antwerp in very rough seas when the officer of the watch detected an AID MOB (man overboard) mark. He immediately informed the master, who took immediate action and coordinated the rescue operation in line with the regulations for good seamanship.

This meant putting the ship's engine on standby mode, and the vessel then deviated from its route to engage with the rescue operation. Contact was made with the relevant maritime rescue coordination centre (MRCC) and all vessels.

The MRCC arranged for a French Navy helicopter to attend the scene and the helicopter rescued six people from the sea, after which the MT Genuine Venus was given permission to resume her passage.

The Revd Canon Andrew Wright, secretary general for The Mission to Seafarers, said the many striking award nominations reflected 'the immense contributions of so many organisations and individuals in responding to the acute challenges faced by seafarers and their families [against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic].'

Funds raised from the Seafarers' Awards support the Singapore Mission and its work in Asia.

Five awards were also made recognising contributions to welfare of shoreside staff, cadets, and shipping organisations. The winners were:

Shoreside Award

Winner: Homi Bharda, Campbell Shipping

Highly Commended: Riza Jamero, Global Marine Travel

Cadet Award

Winner: Yrhen Bernard Sabanal Balinis, Marlow Navigation

Innovation Award

Winner: Magsaysay People Resources Corporation

Joint Highly Commended: Fleet and Greywing

Secretary General Award

Winner: Thome

Highly Commended: Ardmore Shipping

Rescue Award

Winner: Capt Rolando Dacanay Jr, K Line Ship Management

Highly Commended: Captain Venkata Mohan Battula, Fleet Ship Management

 


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