The awards celebrate those who have demonstrated exceptional skill, judgement and selflessness in responding to emergencies at sea and on the water.

The crew of Prestwick-based search and rescue helicopter Rescue 199 received the Edward and Maisie Lewis Award for an outstanding long-range rescue in the North Atlantic. On 7 September 2025, Captain Jamie Ross, Co-Pilot Harry Howell, Winch Operator Alan Robertson and Winch Paramedic Mark Warters rescued a seriously injured crew member from a yacht approximately 170 nautical miles west of Prestwick, in four to five-metre swells and winds of up to 55 knots.

Lieutenant David Hardiman was awarded the Lady Swaythling Trophy for outstanding seamanship after his calm judgement and decisive actions helped prevent a potentially catastrophic collision involving HMS PRINCE OF WALES in the Tyrrhenian Sea. While serving as Officer of the Watch during a Carrier Strike Group deployment in November 2025, he took immediate action when a passenger ferry unexpectedly altered course towards the aircraft carrier.

Five Crew Commendations were also presented.

The crew of Merlin HC Mk4 helicopter Commando 98 — Lieutenant Commander Oliver Trowman, Lieutenant George Day and Colour Sergeant Richard Lane — were commended for their response following the ditching of another aircraft during night deck landing training with HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH south of Lyme Regis. In near-total darkness, they located two survivors in the water and coordinated the rescue response, helping to ensure both were recovered within 25 minutes.

The crew of fishing vessel FV FRANK BONEFAAS received a commendation after providing life-saving care to a crew member who suffered a traumatic arm amputation while fishing in the Bay of Biscay in January 2025. Their rapid application of a tourniquet, ongoing casualty care and preparations for evacuation were instrumental in preserving life.

A second Crew Commendation was awarded to the crew of Rescue 199 after rescuing a lone kayaker off the Mull of Galloway in August 2025. After locating the casualty clinging to an upturned kayak in rough seas, the crew recovered him from the water and provided advanced life-saving treatment during a direct flight to hospital.

The crew of MV Isle of Islay were commended for rescuing an exhausted swimmer off the northern coast of Morocco in February 2026. Their prompt and coordinated response involved personnel across the vessel, from bridge and engineering teams to the Fast Rescue Boat, deck, first-aid and passenger services teams.

The final Crew Commendation went to the crew of Wightlink ferry WIGHT SKY, who rescued two people from the water after their unlit Zapcat racing boat capsized near Yarmouth Harbour in February 2026. The crew launched their rescue boat within minutes and recovered both casualties safely before transferring them to an RNLI lifeboat.

Captain Justin Osmond RN, Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, said: “This year’s recipients represent the very highest standards of seamanship, courage and commitment to others. Whether operating at the limits of an aircraft’s range in extreme weather, making a split-second decision aboard a warship, or responding swiftly to an emergency on the water, every one of these award winners displayed exceptional professionalism.

“Their actions demonstrate the enduring importance of skill, teamwork and selflessness across the maritime community. It is a privilege for the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society to recognise these remarkable individuals and crews through our annual Skill & Gallantry Awards.”

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society offers support to those across the UK who are suffering hardship during or after a life at sea. The charity continues to provide help to thousands of individuals each year by offering financial and practical support to those in need, and last year launched an additional support fund to further help seafarers in need affected by the cost-of-living crisis

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‘The Needles Lighthouse’ – by Jimmy Colley

This year, the charity’s annual competition received over 600 entries from amateur and professional photographers, with the judging panel awarding the overall prize to Jimmy Colley for his entry, ‘The Needles Lighthouse’, a stunning bird’s-eye view of The Needles lighthouse on the Isle of Wight. Jimmy received a £1,000 voucher for photographic equipment.

In addition to the overall prize, winners were also named across five categories: Coastal Views, People and Recreation, Industry, Ships and Wrecks, and Maritime Safety.

• Coastal Views: Luke Donockley – ‘Walking on water’ taken in Inner Farne
• People and Recreation: Mike Freeman – ‘Four in a row’ taken in Falmouth
• Industry: Thomas O’Dell –‘The Timeless Grit of Life in Porthusek’ taken in Porthusek, North Cornwall
• Ships and Wrecks: Reiss McGuire – ‘At the edge of Loch Linnhe sits the Old Boat of Caol, telling tall tales to anyone who’ll listen’ taken in Corpach, Fort William, Scotland
• Maritime Safety: Kieran McGeoch – ‘American Muscle’, taken in The North Sea from onboard HMS Prince of Wales

The winning images were selected by a panel of photography and maritime experts, including Sophie Batterbury, former head of pictures at the ‘i’ Ray Wells, former Sunday Times picture editor, Karin Andreasson, news picture editor of the Guardian, and Captain Justin Osmond RN, Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society.

The Society, which provides financial support to former seafarers and their dependants, encouraged photographers of all abilities to submit pictures that captured the essence of the UK and Ireland’s enduring connection with the sea, including merchant ships, fishers, coastlines, harbours, ports and wildlife.

Captain Justin Osmond said, “Now in its fourteenth year, the Ultimate Sea View photography competition continues to showcase our love for the coast and the pride we take in our maritime heritage. This year’s entries once again demonstrated the extraordinary breadth of the UK and Ireland’s relationship with the sea, from dramatic coastal landscapes and leisure activities to the people, vessels and industries that depend upon it.

Jimmy Colley’s winning image, The Needles Lighthouse, immediately captured the judges’ attention. Its striking bird’s-eye perspective offers a fresh view of one of Britain’s best-known maritime landmarks, perfectly capturing the spirit of an ‘Ultimate Sea View’.

Those who work at sea make a vital contribution to our daily lives, yet the seafaring community continues to face significant challenges. This competition gives us an opportunity to celebrate our maritime industry, and the people behind it, while raising awareness of the support available to former seafarers and their dependants when they need it.

Congratulations to Jimmy and all of this year’s category winners, and a huge thank you to everyone who entered. The standard was exceptionally high, and we are delighted to share these remarkable photographs with the public.”

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society supports fishers, merchant mariners and their dependants who are suffering financial hardship, whether due to accident, ill health, unemployment or in retirement after a life spent working at sea. In the last year the Society distributed grants amounting to £1.4 million in 1,700 cases of need.

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Members and friends of the Society wishing to attend should notify The Chief Executive.

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The competition encourages photographers of all abilities to submit images that capture the British Isles’ lasting relationship with the sea – including its merchant ships, fishermen, coasts, harbours and ports.

David Stearne – ‘Standing on the shoulders of giants – to get the ultimate sea view!’

In the competition’s fourteenth year, the Society is encouraging individuals to go out and capture new stunning sea views for their photo albums, with the overall competition winner receiving a £1,000 photographic equipment voucher. The competition also aligns with the Society’s Seafarers Support Week appeal launching on 22^nd June to raise awareness of the dangers and sacrifices faced by those who work at sea and recognising the vital contribution the maritime and fishing industries play in preserving our standard of living.

In addition to the dedicated entry submission form on the Society’s website, entrants can also submit photos through its Instagram channel (@ShipwreckedMariners) by using the hashtag #SMSPhotoComp2026.

The competition will once again be judged by a prestigious panel of experts, including former Sunday Times Picture Editor, Ray Wells, former Picture Editor of the i, Sophie Batterbury, and the Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Capt. Justin Osmond RN.

Discussing the launch of the competition, Captain Justin Osmond RN, said: “As we launch this year’s competition, I continue to be inspired by the creativity and passion shown by entrants from across the nation. Year after year the entries reflect not only exceptional talent, but a deep respect for the UK and Ireland’s coastlines and maritime heritage. I am confident this upcoming competition will be yet another fantastic showcase!

“While our maritime industry and those who work at sea can often go unnoticed and unappreciated, their role in shaping our past, supporting our present, and securing our future cannot be overstated. The competition serves as a great platform for us to proudly exhibit and commemorate our enduring connection to the sea.”

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society supports fishers, merchant mariners and their dependants who are suffering financial hardship, whether due to accident, ill health, unemployment or in retirement after a life spent working at sea.

To enter the competition, individuals can submit their photographs through the dedicated form before the deadline on 21 August 2026. Photographers can also enter their pictures via email, post or on the Society’s Instagram channel (@ShipwreckedMariners) using the hashtag #SMSPhotoComp2026.

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The Society is committed to this annual campaign to promote and highlight the plight of serving and retired seafarers, as well as raising awareness of the dangers and sacrifices faced by those who work at sea. This includes recognising the vital contribution the maritime and fishing industries play in allowing us to preserve our standard of living.

The cost-of-living crisis continues unabated, compounded by world events and is blighting the lives of many who feel helpless and vulnerable; this is particularly evident in the often marginalised and forgotten seafaring community we serve. In a continuing effort to do all we can to alleviate distress, the Society has raise the grant we pay to our 1,200 regular beneficiaries to £988 a year, equivalent to just £19 per week. We have also reduced the sea service requirement for our one-off grants to 3 years (previously 5) which will allow us to help even more seafarers and their dependants in need.

The cost of providing this additional support, in addition to meeting the ever-increasing needs of our regular beneficiaries, means that during this year’s Seafarers Support Week, we have set ourselves the challenging target of raising an additional £40,000. This will allow us to continue to provide much needed support to individuals and families who in many cases have nowhere else to turn.

Across the past year we received 500 new applications for assistance and distributed grants amounting to £1.42 million in nearly 1,700 cases of need. The funds raised through Seafarers Support Week will be used to finance medical equipment and support those suffering long-term illness and disability; to provide financial respite for young families whose main income has been lost or greatly reduced; to provide household repairs and meet the funeral costs for a seafarer whose family are unable to meet the expense, as well as to support the new Household Appliance Fund.

It is due to the loyalty and kind heartedness of our supporters that we are able to continue our important work.

To support the Society’s work please visit: www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk/donate

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Since 1851, the Society has awarded individuals and crews who have shown courage, bravery and expert skill during rescues at sea, and is once again on the lookout for our seafaring heroes.

Nominations for the Skill and Gallantry Awards are now open with the Society seeking worthy recipients for its Lady Swaythling Trophy (for an outstanding feat of seamanship); Edward and Maisie Lewis Award (for an outstanding air/sea rescue or casevac) and the Emile Robin Award (for an outstanding sea rescue by a British Captain or Chief Officer of a vessel of any nationality, or the Captain or Chief Officer (of any nationality) of a British owned or flagged merchant vessel). Nominations are also open for Crew/Team and Individual Commendations (for outstanding actions in saving or safeguarding life at sea).

The charity is calling for nominations relating to rescues that took place between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026. The closing date for submissions is Friday 8 May 2026.

This year’s prestigious Skill and Gallantry awards ceremony will take place at the Society’s Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday 6 October, at Fishmongers’ Hall in London.

Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Captain Justin Osmond, said: “As they do each year, the Skill & Gallantry Awards will allow us to commemorate the unsung heroes of the maritime industry. It is always an honour to commend the selfless actions taken by those in the maritime community who have been working at sea in dangerous conditions over the last year. 

“Whilst those working within the maritime and rescue communities are often humble and consider themselves to only be doing their job, it is important that we recognise and celebrate truly heroic acts and as such, I encourage anyone to come forward who has a nomination to make.”

Founded after the tragic loss of a fleet of fishing boats in 1839, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society provides financial support to individuals in need who have worked or are still working at sea in the merchant marine and fishing industries, as well as their dependants. Last year alone, the Society made regular grant payments to 1,236 cases of people in need at a cost of £1.1 million.

To submit a nomination for this year’s Skill and Gallantry Awards, contact: 

Capt Justin Osmond RN, Chief Executive 

Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, 1 North Pallant, Chichester, PO19 1TL  

Tel: 01243 789329  

general@shipwreckedmariners.org.uk

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Starring seafaring songsters, The Wellington Wailers, everyone attending had a great time foot-stomping along to the band’s brilliant tunes. The Society is delighted to have the support of such a great pub and send a big shout out ‘thank you’ to everyone who donated to support our charity’s work on behalf of the maritime community.

You can find out more about the pub at https://www.redlionarundel.com/.

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Captain Ben Blackburn

The crew of Rescue 1, the Falkland Islands’ only Search and Rescue helicopter, received the Edward and Maisie Lewis Award for their extraordinary courage and professionalism in attempting a long‑range rescue of the stricken fishing vessel Argos Georgia on 22nd July 2024.

Captain Ben Blackburn, commanding the Fishery Patrol Vessel Lilibet, was named the 2025 recipient of the Emile Robin Award for outstanding leadership and seamanship in perilous South Atlantic conditions. Supported by an RAF A400M, he and his crew successfully rescued 13 fishermen from a life raft during a gruelling 48‑hour operation that tested their skill, judgement and stamina to the limits.

Skipper Grant Irvine of the fishing vessel Opportune was awarded the Lady Swaythling Trophy for outstanding seamanship after his calm leadership saved his crew when the vessel flooded and sank off the Shetland Islands in March 2024. His decision not to risk sending crew into the engine room, combined with skilful mustering and deployment of survival equipment, ensured the safe evacuation of all aboard.

Skipper Tim Chivers and crewman Peter Hickman, of the workboat Malamute, received a Crew Commendation for their sharp observation and decisive actions on the River Thames on 17^th December 2024. Spotting what appeared at first to be debris, they rapidly manoeuvred their vessel alongside and pulled a young woman from the freezing river, saving her life.

Tim Chivers and Peter Hickman

The crew of HM Coastguard Rescue 163 were presented with a Crew Commendation for their extraordinary efforts in saving the life of a yachtsman at Newhaven on 4th July 2024. When his yacht broke free from its moorings and smashed against the harbour wall, the helicopter crew executed a high-risk rescue in extreme conditions, lowering their winch paramedic onto the disintegrating vessel to bravely pull him clear.

Three Royal Navy Reserve crews were honoured with a Crew Commendation for their seamanship, professionalism and teamwork during the rescue of the yacht, Wizard of ID, near Portsmouth on 15th June 2024. With power lost and heavy seas pushing the vessel towards the rocks, the Reservists manoeuvred their RHIBs in gale-force conditions to place a crew member aboard, tend to the casualty and rig a tow line, successfully bringing the yacht to safety.

The crew of the Fishery Patrol Vessel Lilibet also received a Crew Commendation for their exceptional stamina and seamanship in rescuing 13 survivors from the sinking Argos Georgia. Sailing 250 nautical miles in storm-force winds and 30 foot seas, the crew worked tirelessly over 48 hours to bring all 13 to safety.

Rescue 163

Lord Lewin Awards were presented to three outstanding volunteers for service to the charity too. Rebecca Austin, Honorary Agent for Grimsby, was recognised for her dedicated casework on behalf of local seafarers and their families. Richard and Linda Sadler, Honorary Agents for Tenby, Wales, were honoured for their exceptional commitment in managing and relocating the Society’s collecting mines, overcoming logistical challenges and raising vital funds for seafarers in need.

The honours were presented at the Society’s 186th Annual General Meeting held at Fishmongers’ Hall in London on Tuesday 7 October.

Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Captain Justin Osmond RN, commented: “Our Skill and Gallantry Awards, now in their 174th year, once again highlight the extraordinary courage, technical skill and selfless commitment shown by those who serve at sea and those who support them ashore. This year’s recipients represent the very highest standards of seamanship, bravery and dedication. It is also a privilege to honour our volunteers, whose support allows the Society to continue its vital work for seafarers in need.”

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society offers support to those across the UK that are suffering hardship during, or after fulfilling their life at sea. The charity continues to provide help to thousands of individuals each year by offering financial and practical support to those in need, and last year launched an additional support fund to further help seafarers in need affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

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This year, the charity’s annual competition received nearly 1,000 quality entries from amateur and professional photographers alike, with the judging panel awarding the overall prize to David Stearne for his entry, ‘Standing on the shoulders of giants – to get the ultimate sea view!’, an incredible shot of a seagull perched on top of the Mediterranean Gull statue at Folkestone Harbour in Kent. The image won the photographer a £1,000 prize voucher for photographic equipment.

In addition to the overall prize, winners were also named in five categories. These included returning favourites – Coastal Views, People and Recreation, Industry, and Ships and Wrecks – as well as a newly introduced category for this year’s competition, Maritime Security.

• Coastal Views: Thomas Rutherford – ‘Monster wave crashing over the Harbour wall’ taken in Seaham Harbour, County Durham
• People and Recreation: Clive Blount – ‘Hard fought’ taken in Cowes, Isle of Wight
• Industry: Ian Douglas – ‘Recovery’ taken in Cromer, Norfolk
• Ships and Wrecks: Gary Beale – ‘The SS Denham’ taken in Leasowe Bay, Wirral
• Maritime Security: John Crisp – ‘Sitting in The Darkness’ taken in Loch Long, Scotland

The winning images were selected by a prestigious panel of photography and maritime experts, which comprised Sophie Batterbury, picture editor of the i, former Sunday Times picture editor, Ray Wells and Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Captain Justin Osmond RN.

The Society, which provides financial support to former seafarers and their dependants, encouraged photographers of all abilities to submit pictures that captured the essence of the UK’s enduring connection with the sea, including merchant ships, fishermen, coastline, harbours, ports and wildlife.

Captain Justin Osmond said, “Now in its thirteenth year, the Ultimate Sea View photography competition continues to showcase the nations love for our coastlines and the pride we take in our maritime heritage. Despite the ongoing challenges faced by our seafaring community, their outstanding contribution remains vital to our daily lives. That’s why it remains important that we use the competition as a platform to acknowledge and celebrate the UK and Ireland’s maritime industry and ensure that those working within it have access to essential support.

“We thought that David Stearne’s winning image, ‘Standing on the shoulders of giants – to get the ultimate sea view!’, was both powerful and humorous, showcasing the bold recreational elements of our maritime heritage. Its scale and perspective captured the judges’ attention immediately, standing out as a true ‘Ultimate Sea View’. As always, on behalf of the Society, I would like to say a massive thank you to all of those who entered this year, and we look forward to seeing your images in 2026!”

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society supports fishermen, merchant mariners and their dependants who are suffering financial hardship, whether due to accident, ill health, unemployment or in retirement after a life spent working at sea. Last year, the Society distributed grants amounting to £1.4 million in over 2,000 cases of need.

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Members and friends of the Society wishing to attend should notify The Chief Executive.

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