MBE honour for Maritime and Coastguard Agency (South Shields)

by Lucy Berrie on 11 Jun 2016 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Andrew Scott has been awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for – amongst other things – his work in helping to implement safety-critical changes and improvements to international damage stability regulations.

Andrew was driven by a resolve to try to do everything possible to prevent the sort of passenger casualties incurred in the losses of the “Herald of Free Enterprise” and “Estonia.’ His role as policy lead for stability, subdivision and RO-ROs within the Marine Technology Branch at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, has enabled him and his colleagues to do just that, firstly, by identifying where improvements were needed and secondly by giving him the opportunity to influence international legislators. In doing so, Andrew has encouraged them to enact the necessary changes in the regulations to maintain and enhance the safety of passengers at sea.

Now that work has been recognised with an award in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: ‘Andrew is a highly competent and very well respected colleague, not just here at the MCA but also nationally and internationally. He is an exemplar of the professionalism that runs right through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and its vitally important work to promote maritime safety. I am delighted that Andrew has been recognised and honoured in this way.’

Andrew said: ‘I am delighted and extremely honoured to receive this award, more especially as it coincides with the landmark 90th birthday of the Queen. I must say that it could not have been achieved without the support of the MCA and the encouragement of my colleagues combined with the knowledge accrued through many years of working in the shipping business - years which I can truly say I have thoroughly enjoyed. I thank my immediate family – my wife, Lorraine, and our two boys for keeping me up to the mark.

‘I also think back to my parents and relatives many of whom were involved in shipping, shipbuilding and engineering activities in the North-East of England and far more worthy than me of receiving an award such as this. Thank you all.'