Bravery award to Malayalee Captain Radhika Menon
FollowCaptain Radhika Menon, of the Indian Merchant Navy, will receive the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Award for her exceptional bravery.
Menon, who is the first woman captain in the Indian Merchant Navy, will become the first woman to receive the IMO Award for rescuing seven fishermen caught up in a storm on 22 June.
Menon was the master in command of the ship 'Sampurna Swarajya' of Shipping Corporation of India when her team spotted a fishing boat 2.5 kilometres away, off the coast of Gopalpur, Odisha that had drifted from Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh with failed engine. Menon and her team immediately began the rescue operation saving lives of seven men.
Menon, a native of Kodungallor in Kerala was nominated by the Government of India to IMO; the United Nations specialised agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping. The IMO Council recognised that she had displayed great determination and courage in leading the rescue operation.
