| Two members of the crew of Sanmar Pageant,
Capt N S Bharat, the master of the vessel, and P M Shanmugam,
the bosun of the ship, have been honoured by the Government
of India. The National Maritime Day Celebrations Committee conferred
Gallantry Awards on these two courageous seafarers who, responding
to a call from the US Coast Guard, saved the lives of Belgian
nationals aboard the yacht P M Charles that was floundering
in the Atlantic Ocean. (Rescue at sea, Matrix September 2000). |
| The award is given in recognition of acts
of gallantry performed by Indian seamen, displaying outstanding
courage, disregard for personal safety and absence of any personal
or selfish motive. |
| National Maritime Day is celebrated in India
on April 5th every year. It was on this day in 1919 that the
first Indian ship M V Liberty sailed from Mumbai on her way
to the United Kingdom. |
| The day is also marked as Merchant Navy Flag
Day, when homage is paid to the gallant seafarers who lost their
lives while in service at sea. |
| On April 4, 2001, a seminar was held at Hotel
Savera, Chennai, featuring many distinguished speakers. |
| J Ramdas of Sanmar Shipping Limited, made
a presentation entitled How Indian Financial Institutions can
assist the Global Shipowner. |
| Capt Bharat was awarded the “Gallantry
at Sea Award” instituted by the Shipping Corporation of
India Limited which carried a citation and a cash award of Rs.
5,000. |
| Shanmugam was awarded the “Dr Nagendra
Singh Gallantry at Sea Award” instituted by the National
Union of Seafarers of India, which too carried a citation and
a purse of Rs. 5,000. |
| The awards were presented by the chief guest,
Justice Narayana Kurup on April 5, 2001 at Music Academy, Chennai.
Capt B Chakrapani, Managing Director, Sanmar Shipping Limited,
delivered the keynote address on the occasion. |
| Capt Bharat expressed happiness that he had
been involved in saving two precious lives. He said that he
had received the award on behalf of all the officers and crew
who assisted him in the search and rescue operation on that
eventful day of June 17, 2000. |
|
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| J Ramdas of Sanmar Shipping making a presentation
at the National Maritime Day Celebrations in Chennai. |
 |
| Gallantry Award presented to Capt. N S Bharat
by Justice Narayana Kurup. |
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| Justice Narayana Kurup garlanding P M Shanmugam
Gallantry Award from . |
|
