Nautical Institute's "Ship Master of the Year"

Commodore Ronald Warwick, Master of the recently launched Queen Mary 2, was named as the winner of the Lloyd?s List and Nautical Institute?s ?Shipmaster of the Year? award.

Dr. Phil Anderson, Senior Vice President of The Nautical Institute, made the announcement at the annual Lloyd?s List Awards ceremony in London.

The Award is presented to the shipmaster nominated by those on board a vessel, by a company, or by colleagues, for exceptional service in command at sea during the past 12 months. One of the main aims of this award reflecting the work of the master, is an equal reflection of professionalism within the running of the ship at sea.

Dr. Anderson told the gathering that the award was being presented to ?A master at the peak of a long and distinguished career who epitomises the positive features of the maritime profession. His recent high profile in the media, both maritime and general, has been a result of good news rather than the more usual disaster stories. However, this is not the reason for his receiving this award. Anyone who has brought a new vessel into a fleet and stood by her in the yard knows the level of detailed professional work in an effective team that is required. When that ship is the largest and most technically innovative passenger ship in the world, the importance of effective professional input cannot be over-stated.?

?Commodore Ronald Warwick, the master of the Queen Mary 2, has led his team in an exemplary manner throughout the genesis of the new Queen and has ensured that they are an integral part of the Cunard management process in bringing the ship into service. The master?s role becomes especially visible during the sea trials, and of course, the maiden voyage, and both were conducted in a thoroughly professional manner.?

Nomination for this annual award is an open process and many shipmasters were nominated by colleagues or organizations. Of those nominated, a panel of judges arrived at a short list of three. This year?s runners up were announced as:

Captain Duke Snider of the Canadian Coast Guard and an experienced ice pilot and
Captain Alex Mathews, a master of gas carriers with V Ships.