Nautilus general secretary awarded Merchant Navy Medal

Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson has been awarded the prestigious Merchant Navy Medal for meritorious service in recognition of his work on seafarer employment, training and welfare.

Mr Dickinson is one of 19 people who will be presented with the award by the Princess Royal at a ceremony at Trinity House later this month.

Other recipients include Nautilus members Captain Belinda Bennett, the first black female shipmaster in the cruise industry, for services to the promotion of the maritime sector; and Princess Cruises master Captain Nick Nash, for services to maritime training.

Among the other winners this year are: Wightlink deck officer Stephen Chamberlain, who risked his own life to rescue a man from cold water in Portsmouth Harbour in February; Captain Timothy Charlesworth, who provides sailing opportunities for people with mental health and addiction problems; Captain Michael Reeves, who has five decades of Merchant Navy experience – much of which has been spent promoting seafaring to young people; and NERC master Captain Antonio Gatti, who has played a crucial role in scientific research during his 33 years of service.

Maritime minister Nusrat Ghani said: ‘These 19 people are a credit not just to the maritime industry but to the wider nation. They have gone above and beyond their duty for the benefit of others.’

The full list of winners is:

1. Captain Belinda Bennett, for services to the promotion of the maritime sector
2. Derek Cardno, for services to the welfare of fishermen
3. Lieutenant Commander David Carter, for services to the careers of young seafarers and seafarer welfare
4. Stephen Chamberlain, for an act of bravery in saving a life
5. Captain Timothy Charlesworth, for services to UK ports and the maritime industry
6. Mark Dickinson, for services to seafarer employment, training and welfare
7. Captain Antonio Gatti, for services to UK research expeditions
8. John Halsall, for services to the careers of young seafarers
9. Captain Nigel Jardine, for services to UK ports and the maritime industry including the small port sector
10. Captain Robin Lock, for services to a maritime charity
11. George Lonie, for services to the careers of young seafarers and seafarer welfare
12. Michael Morley, for services to a maritime charity
13. Captain Nicholas Nash, for services to maritime training
14. Captain John Rankin, for services to the Merchant Navy
15. Captain Michael Reeves, for services to the careers of young seafarers and seafarer welfare
16. Captain Andrew Schofield, for services to the large yacht industry
17. Captain Ian Shields, for services to maritime charity
18. Keith Thompson, for services to maritime charity
19. Thomas Woolley, for services to harbour towage and safety standards