Gordon Foot awarded UK Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Services

Gordon, 56, has spent the majority of that time – some 39 years – in a seafaring capacity and has served both in the UK’s Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy.

He was nominated by a group of colleagues because of his passion for helping others, both the offshore industry and the global seafaring community at large, his work in shipping and his versatile life-long learning achievements within the industry.

Robert Courts, UK Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security said: “Your work as an ambassador for the Maritime UK schools outreach program and in mentoring, championing women at sea and acting as a voice for those seafarers affected by the pandemic crew change crisis is invaluable. I applaud your support in these incredibly important areas.”

As a maritime ambassador for Maritime UK for the Inspiring the Future school’s careers outreach program Gordon assists schoolchildren to widen their horizons with regard to maritime careers, breaking down stereotypes and aids in diversity and inclusion within the industry.

“This award is not just to recognise his near four decades of seafaring but rather to acknowledge, as a humble person, the personal time, energy, knowledge and experience sharing and endeavour that he has willingly, freely and for the most part silently put into affecting others’ lives for the better,” a statement said.

He is a consultant senior client representative supervising offshore renewable energy construction mega project in Taiwan.