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.
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.
Justice Narayana Kurup garlanding P M Shanmugam Gallantry Award from .