Countess Mountbatten to attend prestigious event at Institute of Directors
The Maritime Foundation today launches its search for the country’s top maritime journalists, writers and broadcasters for its annual awards. Winners of the five following major categories will be honoured at a dinner at the Institute of Directors, in London on Wednesday, October 28:
- The Desmond Wettern Media Award for the best journalistic contribution
- The Donald Gosling Award to for best television, film or radio contribution
- The Desmond Wettern Fleet Award for 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 The Maritime Foundation’s President Countess Mountbatten of Burma and the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope.
The Maritime Media Awards were first held in 1995 with one journalism prize presented in memory of Desmond Wettern, one of the most well-known and respected naval correspondents of the last century.
Over the past 14 years the event has steadily grown to become the largest and most prestigious within the maritime sector.
Previous winners include broadcaster Libby Purves OBE, defence writer Michael Evans and the BBC producers Andrew Williams for the Battle of the Atlantic series and Marshall Corwin’s Serious Ocean children’s programmes.
Those wishing to make a nomination can do so by logging onto the Maritime Foundation’s website at www.bmcf.org.uk.
Awards Chairman, Julian Parker OBE said: “What started out as an informal evening has grown into an important event for both the maritime industry and the media. Given how vital our sea links will be to this country’s economic recovery, it seems fitting that those whose work is outstanding within this area receive the recognition they deserve.”
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 entire 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 Kefford on 07775 737062.