First Sea Lord to attend prestigious event at Institute of Directors
THE Maritime Foundation’s annual appeal for the country’s top maritime journalists, writers and broadcasters comes has recently closed with a record number of nominations.
Winners of the five following major categories will be honoured at a dinner at the Institute of Directors, in London on Tuesday November 22, where the theme of the evening will be “Media and Communication”:
- The Desmond Wettern Media Award for the best journalistic contribution.
- The Donald Gosling Award for the best television, film contribution.
- The Desmond Wettern Fleet Award for the best media contribution from HM Ship, submarine, Royal Naval Air Squadron or Royal Marine Unit.
- The Mountbatten Maritime Award for best literary contribution.
- The Maritime Fellowship Award for an outstanding life time contribution in a particular maritime field.
The Awards will be presented by Gillian Wettern. Tradition has it that the winner of the Desmond Wettern Award for journalism not only receives a crystal ship’s decanter but a bottle of vintage port with the instruction that, in true naval tradition, the vessel must never be allowed to run dry.
Over the past sixteen years the Maritime Media Awards have steadily grown to become the largest and most prestigious event within the maritime sector. Previous winners include broadcasters Ross Kemp and Dan Snow, columnists Peter Elson and Charles Clover and editors Michael Grey and Julian Bray.
“In recent year’s interest in the Maritime Media Awards has grown enormously with the realisation that the maritime sector is an integral part of the nation’s economic recovery” stated Julian Parker, Chairman of the Awards Committee, “and the accomplishments of journalists, the eclectic book titles and the inspiring documentaries present an uplifting challenge to the judges.” He went on to say “To have a work nominated is to achieve a deservedly high level of recognition.”
In early October, the judges will decide their short list of exemplary entries and on Tuesday, 22nd November at the Annual Awards Dinner the winners will be announced.
Editors’ Notes
- Desmond Wettern wrote on maritime matters for over 30 years but is probably best known for his role as The Daily Telegraph’s naval correspondent. He was so respected within the service he wrote about that the Royal Navy sent a signal to every ship and naval establishment to inform them of his death in 1991.
- The Maritime Foundation was set up in the early 1980s to promote Britain’s interests across the maritime sector. Its purpose is to inform and raise public and parliamentary awareness of the importance of Britain’s maritime industries, commerce and defence.
- For further information, please call Ali Rayden on 07775 737062.