Radhika Menon, the first woman captain of the Indian Merchant Navy will now become the first woman to Receive Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea in the world from the International Maritime Organisation. She will be honoured for saving the lives of seven fishermen who almost lost their hopes of survival.
Menon was at the helm of oil tanker ‘Sampurna Swarajya’ of Shipping Corporation of India. Captain Menon has been nominated by the Government of India. She has saved and rescued all the seven fishermen from a fishing boat named ‘Durgamma’. The boat was drifted following engine failure and loss of anchor in severe weather. She is the first woman captain of the Indian Merchant Navy and will be the first female to receive the exceptional award for bravery at the sea.
In a mail by her she said, “I am humbled, honoured and grateful. 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.”
