'Exceptional abilities' accolade for 2024 JW Slater Fund officer training awardee

Congratulations to Blackpool and the Fylde College student Dean Hodgson, who has received the 2024 John William Slater Award for Outstanding Achievement thanks to his 'exceptional ability 'and 'overcoming challenges in the face of adversity'.

The JW Slater Memorial Fund is celebrating its 50th year of supporting seafarers with rating to officer training. It has been administered by the Marine Society on behalf of Nautilus International for over 40 years.

In more recent years, it has provided more than 60 scholarships, worth up to £20,000 annually. These scholarships have proven to be a life-changing opportunity for many seafarers looking to further their maritime career through officer training and other STCW certification.

Dean was unable to be present for the official ceremony that took place at Trinity House as part of Marine Society & Sea Cadets' Annual Court. However, the nautical college invited Dean and his family to a private presentation of the accolade.

Head of seafarer learning and welfare Carla Rockson said: 'Dean was the outstanding candidate in a strong field. He worked incredibly hard to achieve his Officer of the Watch Unlimited CoC via the blended learning pathway, while working full time and raising a young family. His enthusiasm for the subjects covered by the Advanced Certificate in Nautical Science helped him pass every module first time, along with his SQA written exams – achieving a grade A overall.'

Dean thanked Marine Society, the college and his colleagues onboard ship, and praised the unwavering support from his family and friends. The fund allowed Dean to achieve the position of Officer of the Watch after fifteen years of hard work and dedication, and he is now training to become a Dynamic Positioning Officer in the renewables sector.

In October 2024, Nautilus International and the Marine Society and Sea Cadets (MSSC) signed a historic agreement to preserve and continue the work of the JW Slater Memorial Fund.

The Fund is a charity established in memory of John Slater, former general secretary of the Nautilus predecessor union MNAOA. This scholarship money, which has helped thousands of seafarers over the decades, is drawn from an annual grant from Nautilus International, and funding from the Maritime Educational Foundation (MEF) which ultimately comes from tonnage tax PILOT payments.

Initially set up to support ratings studying for their first certificate of competency, Slater Fund scholarships now also help electro-technical officers and crew on superyachts, workboats, tugs and fishing vessels to gain Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates of competency as watchkeeping officers. Currently it offers funding up to £18,500 towards obtaining a CoC, plus a completion bonus of £1,500.