[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Captain Radhika Menon, Master of the SCI tanker MT ‘Sampurna Swarajya’ was awarded the 2016 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea for her role in the rescue of seven fishermen from a sinking fishing boat in a very rough sea and extremely tough weather conditions. The Award was presented to her during the IMO Bravery Awards ceremony (#IMOBraveryAward) held on 21st November 2016 at the Headquarters of International Maritime Organisation (@IMOHQ) at London (U.K). Capt. Menon was the first lady captain in the Indian Merchant Navy and is the first female seafarer ever to receive the ‘IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea’.
Capt. Radhika Menon during her speech thanked all the crew members of SCI tanker MT ‘Swarna Swarajya’ who made the rescue possible without sustaining any loss to life or property. She also profusely thanked her employer, The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (@shippingcorp) for the training, continued support and encouragement provided to her during her 25 years of service with the company.
The awards ceremony was presided by Secretary General, IMO and the Chief Guest for the function was Shri Dinesh Patnaik, Acting High Commissioner of India to UK (@HCI_London). In addition over 200 member delegates representing various maritime nations attended the IMO Awards ceremony. Capt. Ashok Mahapatra, Director, IMO hosted a celebratory reception after the event.
Secretary General IMO appreciated Capt. Menon for the great determination and courage in leading the difficult rescue operation in the Bay of Bengal in June 2015. He also appreciated all the seafarers for their commendable work and especially for the rescue efforts carried out by seafarers all around the world.
On the accomplishment, Chairman & Managing Director of SCI said “It is indeed a proud & historic moment for the SCI family that India’s first lady Captain, trained and nurtured by SCI, has become the world’s first woman to get the IMO Bravery Award”.
Captain Menon was nominated by the Government of India for the rescue of all seven fishermen from the fishing boat Durgamma, which was adrift following engine failure and loss of anchor in severe weather. Food and water had been washed away and they were surviving on ice from the cold storage. Capt. Menon had been selected for this prestigious award by a panel of judges out of 23 nominations received by IMO from member states.
Capt. Menon had made India, Indian Merchant Marine and SCI very proud.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
