Indian Woman Becomes The First Person In the World To Win A Bravery At Sea Award

In June 2015, a fishing boat, ‘Durgamma’, had drifted away from the coast of Andhra Pradesh to Odisha. As days past with no news regarding the boat’s whereabouts, families of the seven fishermen on board lost all hope and were preparing for the final rites of their loved ones. But they all received a phone call, which was nothing short of a miracle in their minds, stating that the boat had been spotted, and those onboard rescued under the leadership of India’s first woman Captain, Radhika Menon.

“Through wave heights of more than 25 feet, winds of more than 60 knots and heavy rain, on 22 June, the second officer on the Sampurna Swarajya spotted the boat 2.5 kilometres away, off the coast of Gopalpur, Odisha. Captain Menon immediately ordered a rescue operation, utilising the pilot ladder and with life jackets on standby,” the Shipping Ministry said in a statement.
Not only is Menon the first woman to lead India’s Merchant Navy, but she is soon to become the first woman in the world to receive the award for exceptional bravery at Sea from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
This award was incepted in 2007 with the aim of felicitating people showing exceptional bravery and courage “in attempting to save life at sea or in attempting to prevent or mitigate damage to the marine environment,” often risking their lives in the course of action. Our government recognised the immense potential of Captain Menon’s courageous story and decided to nominate her for the same because of which she will be given the award at the IMO headquarters in London, on November 21.
“It is a maritime obligation to save souls in distress at sea and, as a seafarer and master in command of my ship, I just did my duty,” she told

The Times of India. The world may be perceiving her victory to be in her becoming the first woman to ever be given this award, but we believe that what Menon should also be lauded for is her undeterred determination to fulfilling the duties of a Captain in the merchant navy.

Feature image courtesy of  the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)

Words: Karan Kaul