MASTER MARINERS RECOGNITION FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S TOP SALVAGE MASTER CAPT. NICK SLOANE
Faced with a reluctance by the South African state to grant any sort of official recognition of the achievements of South African salvage master Captain Nick Sloane in leading the team that raised the capsized cruise ship COSTA CONCORDIA, the Society of Master Mariners South Africa decided to initiate a unique gold medal as its highest honour to a fellow mariner. The gold medal was awarded to Capt Sloane in the presence of a large group of international salvage delegates attending the International Salvage Union’s AGM that was being held in the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town on the evening of 23 October 2018. In making the presentation the Society’s President, Capt Rob Whitehead, told those assembled that, as a result of the state’s reluctance to recognise the significant achievement and international recognition generated by Captain Sloane’s leadership in the successful salvage of the Costa Concordia, the Society had created this gold medal award as its highest honour to a fellow mariner. The laid down criteria for making the award is as follows: “Certificated Master Mariner or Deck Officer who, by an exceptional action, has brought the highest honour to our profession by him or her exercising the pinnacle of marine skills acquired as a result of their qualifications and experience”. Full marks to the Society for taking the lead in granting this overdue recognition of a true South African hero and an example to old and young alike. That a South African was chosen to lead the international team that successfully raised and refloated the cruise ship is a factor that should never have been overlooked and does no credit to those in the South Africa government and state organisation that deliberately or otherwise neglected this. Source and full article: https://africaports.co.za/#33
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In South Africa, Remembrance Day commemoration ceremonies are usually held on the nearest Sunday, to the 11th day of the 11th month, at which the "Last Post" is played by a bugler followed by the observation of a two-minute silence. Remembrance Day services are held to honour those who were lost in the two World Wars.
As with all families, our Club had a number of losses from the war, namely; Major George O Edwards, D.S.O., Mr F E Newman, and Mr J Thompson, Sir Marshall Campbell, Captain Stuart, Mr H Cullingworth, and Mr Beresford Smyly. Our Club will be holding a ceremony on Sunday, 11th November, from 10:30am. All are welcome to join. Below is an excerpt that sheds light on the significance of the two-minute silence held during the ceremony: It was the proposal by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, well-known South African philanthropist, author and politician, which was acted upon. Fitzpatrick had been deeply affected by the loss of his son, Nugent, in France in December 1917. In commemoration of the Armistice, he appealed to King George V for a two-minute pause to be observed annually throughout the Empire at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month: one minute in remembrance of the fallen in war; and one minute in gratitude for those who survived. Fitzpatrick had access to the King, who was moved by the idea. The official call of the King was published in the Sunday Times on 7 November 1919 and read as follows: THE GLORIOUS DEAD King's call to his people Armistice Day Observance Two minutes' pause from work The King invites all his people to join him in a special celebration of the anniversary of the cessation of war as set forth in the following message: “To all my people Buckingham Palace Tuesday next, November 11, is the first anniversary of the Armistice, which stayed the world-wide carnage of the four preceding years and marked the victory of Right and Freedom. I believe that my people in every part of the Empire fervently wish to perpetuate the memory of the Great Deliverance, and of those who laid down their lives to achieve it. To afford an opportunity for the universal expression of this feeling it is my desire and hope at the hour when the armistice came into force, the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, there may be, for the brief space of two minutes, a complete suspension of all normal activities. During that time, except in rare cases where this may be impracticable, all work, all sound, and all locomotion should cease, so that, in perfect silence, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the Glorious Dead. No elaborate organisation appears necessary. At a given signal, which can easily be arranged to suit the circumstance of each locality, I believe that we shall gladly interrupt our business and pleasure, whatever it may be, and unite in this simple service of silent remembrance.” George R I Source:Why we should observe Remembrance Day in South Africa, Allan Sinclair, 08/11/2015, http://www.theheritageportal.co.za/article/why-we-should-observe-remembrance-day-south-africa A message from Rear Commodore Andy Brown regarding the Ndongeni Lawns Boat Parking, as stated in the The House rules:
Bona fide members in good standing may, on application to the General Committee, be granted permission to park their dinghy on the Ndongeni Lawns subject to space limitations; subject to the payment of the prevailing parking fee; and in terms of the prevailing boat parking rules. All vessels parked on the lawns shall, at all times, be in a seaworthy condition and must be launched at least once a month. All vessels parked on the Ndongeni Lawns shall be stored under a canvas cover which shall be in good repair and all boats shall be stored in an orderly fashion within the designated parking area. Slapping rigging and halyards are strictly forbidden. Any vessel failing to meet these requirements or failing to display a valid current parking disc shall be removed from the Ndongeni Lawns without reference to the owner and at the owner’s cost. Mr Brodie is one of our first members to have surpassed his own Movember Challenge. He has already been sponsored an amazing R900.00! And so a new challenge arises for all Movember men to best this.
A reminder of the Movember pledge challenge: We encourage our men-folk to support our cancer fund raising drive by growing a moustache. For an entry fee of R 500.00, we encourage you to participate in this drive to benefit Highway Hospice. Then on Friday 30 November at our monthly draw, a competition will be held for all participants to determine who has the most impressive moustache. The winner will be awarded with a club voucher to the value of R 2,000.00. Please accept this challenge and let's have some fun. Shaneé and the fundraising committee will be approaching you all for a commitment to accept this challenge. Send us your 'before' and 'after' photos for our Facebook album. (@RNYCDurban) |
AuthorThe Royal Natal Yacht Club is the oldest yacht and sports Club in Africa and the oldest yacht club in the southern hemisphere. Read our Newsletter to find out more! Archives
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