With data protection regulations changing since the last General Meeting, in 2015, the new CRM had to be fully GDPR compliant. New members signing up had to be told where their data will be stored; that it will be safely stored; and will not be used for any extraneous marketing or operational reasons, other than the ones stated in the signing up process. The new CRM not only meets GDPR but is also built to a standard where data management operations and analysis are time efficient.

The system allows Nautilus to interrogate where members are, gives them the ability to update their details online and, most importantly, empowers them to get more out of the Union.

It also complements Nautilus’s new website. Both these internal and public platforms have the same high standards of functionality – built with any user, colleague or member in mind.

The Bevis Minter Award recognises trainees in the industry who demonstrate determination and a particularly positive attitude to succeed in their chosen career. The winner is nominated by their college and can be at any stage of officer training.

This award is presented on a yearly basis, at the end of phase one of the United Kingdom Sailing Academy’s professional yacht cadetship. It is given to the cadet who looks out for others, motivates their team and helps get the best out of their colleagues, as well as themselves. The prize is a Leatherman multitool – a practical item, useful for any deckhand working onboard a superyacht.

This award is presented to the student who supports and encourages their team and gets the most out of all they work with.

This award recognises exceptional professional work by members. At the General Meeting 2015, it was presented to the crew of RFA Argus, who played a key role in the UK mission to combat the spread of the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone.

The council considers a wide range of criteria in determining this very special award, including acts of bravery, community work, academic achievements and Nautilus activity. At the General Meeting 2015, it was presented to Gordon Thompson, for his service to the Union following his 20-year role as a Trustee Director.

This new award recognises the achievement of activists, such as a Lay Rep/ Cadre Leden/ Vertrauensleute, who have shown exemplary determination and commitment to the Union’s goals and support of their fellow members.

The Rules of the Union allow honorary membership to be conferred by the Council on any person it regards as having given outstanding service in the furtherance of the interests of the Union or its members. This award is only granted rarely, with the last three recipients being John Prescott MP, in 2001; Lord Murray of Epping Forest, former Trustee of the MNAOA and then NUMAST, in 2002; and, in 2013, Cleo Doumbia-Henry, Director of the International Labour Standards Department of the ILO.

Presented to women and men whose achievements boost the profile of women at sea, this award was presented to Captain Barbara Campbell at the General Meeting 2015. It was awarded in recognition of her distinguished maritime career and her volunteer and charitable work with the Sail Training Association and Jubilee Sailing Trust.

Former official of the Federatie van Werknemers in de Zeevaart (FWZ) and long-standing friend of Nautilus, Arnold Sta died on 25 September 2016.

Arnold attended the Maritime Academy, in Amsterdam, before joining the then VNS (United Dutch shipping company), where he served for nine years. He then moved to the Association of Captains and Officers in the Merchant Navy (VKO) and the FWZ, which later became Nautilus NL.

Arnold served as Treasurer from 1988 until 2002 and was a part-time advisor to Nautilus until September 2012. He also worked with various Dutch maritime welfare organisations and had been a director of the Merchant Marine, Seafish and FNV pension funds.

Bob Elliott was an official in the UK from October 1961 to his retirement, in February 1990, although he continued to
work part-time for a further five years. He passed away on 11 December 2017, aged 89.

Bob was an apprentice, third, second and Chief Officer with Elder Dempster Lines from 1944 to 1958 and went on to join the Merchant Navy and Airline Officers’ Association (MNAOA) as Assistant District Secretary in the Liverpool office, in 1961. He was appointed Regional Secretary in Liverpool, in October 1965 and continued in that role until his retirement.

The Liverpool office was frequently the training ground for new staff who were able to draw from Bob’s considerable knowledge and experience. His conduct in negotiations with many companies and his management of the regional office function were exemplary.

John Thomson passed away in August 2019 following a long battle with cancer.

John began his seagoing career with BP in 1964 and rose to the rank of Chief Engineer in 1996, following numerous spells ashore. He became a consultant in 2008 and wanted to put something back into the industry. He was involved in the Professional & Technical Forum of Nautilus and went on to be elected as its Chair in 2015, until ill health led to him having to reduce his commitments.

He was also a passionate supporter of young maritime professionals and acted as a mentor as well as being a regular maritime ambassador, talking to school children about a career at sea.

Billy Parker passed away on 1 August 2019, aged 87. He became a member of the Merchant Navy and Airline Officers’ Association (MNAOA) in 1975 whilst working for Common Brothers. He went on to work for Seaforth Maritime as Chief Officer.

Billy began working for the MNAOA in 1976, as a District Official in the South Shields office. He was appointed to the Aberdeen office in 1980 and became a District Organiser at that time.