Congratulations to Peter McEwen, the recipient of the prestigious MNWB Annual Award for Services to Seafarers Welfare 2008. The annual award, which has been has been in existence since 1998, was presented to Peter by MNWB Chairman Capt Tom Crookall MBE (left of picture) at the MNWB AGM. The award is made in recognition of exceptional, significant and long term service to the welfare of seafarers, either in a voluntary or professional capacity. Peter, deputy general secretary of Nautilus UK (the MN officer’s union) and Chief Executive of their charitable arm NUMAST Welfare Funds, is also a trustee of numerous other maritime charities including Seafarers UK, Seamen’s Hospital Society and Mission to Seafarers. A key player in the Maritime Charities Funding Group (MCFG) ‘Supporting Seafarers and their families’ report and the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, his very well deserved award is given in recognition of his tireless contribution to seafarers’ welfare over many years. His invaluable work among the maritime charities included 7 years each as MNWB chairman and vice chairman. At the ceremony Peter was keen to share the credit for the achievement. ‘Although it’s a personal award in that it’s given to an individual, I see it as being for the work Nautilus UK and the Numast Welfare Funds have done over the years, in particular, pushing forward the reviews which have taken place since the MCFG research report that we supported’ he added ‘It’s important that this work should continue.’ Peter continues to be a driving force for positive change in the maritime charities sector to the benefit of both the active and retired seafarer community.

Posted: 2008-07-03