The UK New Year Honours List for 2025 has recognized individuals for their services to diversity in the maritime industry. Among the honorees is Monica Kohli, the president of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association UK (WISTA UK), who has been appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her efforts in promoting diversity within the sector. The OBE is a prestigious honor established in 1917 by King George V to acknowledge significant contributions at a local or national level.
In addition to Monica Kohli, other notable recipients of OBEs include Dr. Christopher Martin for his contributions to the maritime and port sector, Dr. Mohamed Raouf Abdul Karim Al Kattan for his work in marine engineering, and David Louis Mearns for his achievements in locating and recovering historic shipwrecks. The list also features new Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) such as Katy Ware, a former director of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and Benjamin Simpson, the chief executive of Sea-Kit International, for their respective services to maritime safety and technology.
Furthermore, members of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) were recognized with MBEs for their dedication to maritime safety and community service. Honorees include Kenneth Gee from Kirkwall Lifeboat Station, Patrick McLaughlin from Red Bay Lifeboat Station, and David Haines from Looe Lifeboat Station. Additionally, individuals like John Wilson from the Liverpool Seafarers Centre and volunteers from the Sea Cadets, including Gail Cramp, Roy Heppenstall, and Stuart McCourt, were awarded Medals of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for their outstanding contributions to seafarers’ welfare and youth development.
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