The Costa Concordia crew has won the “Seafarer of the Year” award at the “Lloyd’s List Global Awards 2012”.

“Lloyd’s List Global Awards” include 14 different categories; winners are voted by a judging panel of 10 international shipping experts.

The awards ceremony was held last night at London’s Lancaster Hotel at a gala evening attended by international shipping industry leaders. “Seafarer of the Year” award 2012 was officially delivered to a delegation of Costa Concordia crew – composed by Sheila Canlas, Assistant Bar Manager and Janice Aguda, Waitress – together with Pier Luigi Foschi, Chairman of the Board of Costa Crociere S.p.A., Alessandro Centrone, Vice President Corporate Human Resources of Costa Crociere S.p.A., Marlon Roño, President of Meranti Magsaysay Institute, and Alexandra Maxwell Cecala, Head of Innovation Department of Meranti Magsaysay Institute. Meranti Magsaysay Institute is the leading human resource provider of the global cruise lines and hospitality industries, managing 2 Costa Cruises training schools, one in Indonesia and one in the Philippines.

“Seafarer of the Year” award was assigned for 2012 to all Costa Concordia crew members for the following reasons:

“When the cruise ship Costa Concordia struck a reef off the island of Giglio on January 13, international attention inevitably focused on the actions of the master. But what was largely missed in the media storm that ensued were the genuine examples of bravery and professionalism displayed by members of the crew. There were 4,229 people on board the vessel at the time of the casualty and while the tragic loss of life caused by this regrettable incident will rightly be the subject of forensic investigations for some time to come, it should not be forgotten that without the skilled response of the majority of the crew, the loss of life could have been far higher. Our judges this year concurred with the view of Filipino crewing suppliers Magsaysay who nominated their crew aboard but also wanted to acknowledge the bravery of others, that the actions of the professional and honorable seafarers that night should be publically recognised”.

“Seafarer of the Year” award recognises the skill, bravery and professionalism that the industry’s seafarers demonstrate on a daily basis. It’s addressed to crew of all ranks who have shown leadership, courage and vision while at sea over the past 12 months. Nominations come from individuals or shipping companies putting forward any member of the crew, from ratings to masters.