Radhika Menon awarded IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea

Captain Radhika Menon on 21 November 2016 was bestowed with the 2016 International Maritime Organization (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea at IMO Headquarters in London, United Kingdom.

Menon was honoured with the prestigious award for her role in the rescue of seven fishermen from a sinking fishing boat in the Bay of Bengal in June 2015.

With this, Captain Menon became the first female to receive the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea.

Who is Radhika Menon?

• Radhika Menon is the Master of the oil products tanker Sampurna Swarajya.

• She is the first woman captain in the Indian Merchant Navy.

• She was nominated for the award by the Government of India for the rescue of all seven fishermen from the fishing boat Durgamma.

About IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea

• The annual bravery Award was established by International Maritime Organisation.

• It was established to provide international recognition for those who, at the risk of losing their own life, perform acts of exceptional bravery, displaying outstanding courage in attempting to save life at sea or in attempting to prevent or mitigate damage to the marine environment.

• The recipient of the Award is invited to a special ceremony at IMO to receive a medal and a certificate citing the act of exceptional bravery performed.

• In 2015, the Award was given to United States’ Christopher Leon.