New women’s maritime award shortlist revealed.

International Maritime Rescue Federation awards for Search and Rescue will include a special new award for women this year. Shortlisted women were announced yesterday. 
What follows is mainly an extract from part of the press release, but with added pictures and personal details.
The SAR award honours both professionals and volunteers. Often volunteering is a way in for women.
Winners' outstanding commitment' is honored. But the awards also make the wider world aware of SAR.

The Women in SAR Award is part of the  International Maritime Rescue Federation's wider #WomenInSAR initiative. 
This is in support of the International Maritime Organisation's Empowering Women in Maritime campaign.  
“The Award will recognize someone who is an inspirational role model for others.
Shortlisted finalists for this inaugural Award are Captain Song Yin of the Donghai No.1 Rescue Flying Service in China and Isobel Tugwell, a crew member at the RNLI Shoreham Lifeboat Station in the UK. 

 Song Yin

Song Yin joined the Rescue Flying Service after graduating from Shanghai Maritime University in 2008. She has gained extensive flying and technical experience to become one of China's first female search and rescue helicopter captains.
A People’s Daily online article about this ‘most beautiful female rescue pilot’ and her feats can be seen at http://en.people.cn/90001/90783/91300/7404983.html. See their pic.





See a video about her at work: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=629110454227562

Isobel Tugwell

Isobel Tugwell joined the Shoreham lifeboat crew at 17 and has been taking a full part in SAR operations ever since – even while she was studying for her A-levels.
There are two other women in her RNLI team too. See http://www.shorehamlifeboat.co.uk/the-crew/
Isobel is also a community police officer in Brighton and Hove. Her dad is part of the RNLI team and so was  her granddad.

Why this award matters

On announcing the shortlist Theresa Crossley,  the chief executive of the IMRF said: "The calibre of all the nominations continues to inspire and amaze the judges. All around the world there are breath-taking search and rescue operations being conducted in harrowing conditions with SAR professionals using their skill and expertise to save lives in remarkable circumstances.  Here are just some of those people, selected today as our finalists."

The winners of all the Awards will be announced at a presentation ceremony on 10 September, on board HQS Wellington, during London International Shipping Week. The Awards will be presented by Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence. He is Anne, Princess Royal’s second husband.

My comment

Setting up this award is an important step in the struggle to encourage women into STEM jobs, and in recognising the achievements of those already in it.
‘If you can’t see it, you can’t be it’ goes the slogan, highlighting the value of role models in helping young women see wider opportunities. This award helps us do that seeing.

India's first woman captain, Radhika Menon, to get Bravery Award.

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On 21 November 2016 Radhika Menon will become the first woman to receive the 2016 International Maritime Organisation Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea, it was announced on July 10.Here are some extracts from the internet coverage:

"I am humbled, honoured and grateful. It is a maritime obligation to save souls in distress at sea and, as a seafarer and master in command of my ship, I just did my duty," she said in an email quoted by The Times Of India.

HER BACKGROUND
'Born and raised in Kerala’s Kodungallur, Captain Radhika Menon did a one-and-a-half year radio course at the All India Marine College in Kochi before she became a radio officer in the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), which was also a stellar first, as far as the SCI’s track record with women officers goes.
'By 2012, she ascended up the rungs, with persistent studying and clearing of the required exams for the posts of second mate and chief mate, served out her hours at sea required to appear for the master’s certificate, which she cleared in 2010.
'By 2012, she historically became the first woman captain of the country to take charge of a Merchant Navy ship – the MT Suvarna Swarajya.

THE HEROIC RESCUE
'"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," a government of India statement said. Seas were tumultuous in the Bay of Bengal. Food and water had been washed away and the men were surviving on ice from the ship's cold storage.
'"Through wave heights of more than 25 feet, winds of more than 60 knots and heavy rain, on 22 June, the second officer on the Sampurna Swarajya spotted the boat 2.5 kilometres away, off the coast of Gopalpur, Odisha. Captain Menon immediately ordered a rescue operation, utilising the pilot ladder and with life jackets and buoys on standby," it added.
'It took three arduous attempts in the lashing wind and rain and heavy swells before all seven weak and starving fishermen, aged from 15 to 50 years old, were brought to safety on board the ship.'

THE AWARD
The IMO is the UN agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. It has long had an excellent record in combating gender discrimination. When the IMO Council met last month in London it endorsed the judges' decision that Captain Menon displayed 'great determination and courage in leading the difficult rescue operation.'

WOMEN'S HEROISM AT SEA IN THE PAST
Knowing something about the (poor) history of UK awards made to maritime women, it seems to me that it is wonderful that Radhika's achievement is being properly recognised. So readily too.
In the past, many women have been brave at sea. For example, they've selflessly given their life jackets to save others' lives, and lost their own life in the process.
Yet few deserving women have been given awards for meritous feats. Sometimes their feats were covered up, as in Wren Audrey Coningham Roche's case in WW2. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/4528417/Audrey-Roche.html.

It's as if men feared that their own feats bravery would be somehow diminished if it was seen that women could also be brave.

Conversely, also, women were patronisingly feted for their actions, as if it was unusual that women could display any courage at all.

Because women have only recently been allowed to be captains, and only rarely allowed near danger (in the armed forces) there have not yet been many in a position to lead such rescue operations, as Radhika did.

Captain Menon's award really is an important first. I'm sure it will be the first of many to women captains.