Secretary of State's Representative Hugh Shaw recognised in Queens Birthday Honours

A maritime salvage expert from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours today.
 
The Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP), Hugh Shaw is to become an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for exemplary services to the environment and maritime salvage.

Hugh, who lives in North East Fife, has worked for the MCA for over 35 years and has been the Secretary of State’s Representative for nearly 10 years.  Hugh’s OBE award recognises the huge personal responsibility and crucial decisions he has overseen to protect the UK’s unique coastal environment from maritime incidents.    This role carries an enormous weight of responsibility, where one wrong decision could have catastrophic repercussions.  His skill and expertise has ensured that there has been no significant pollution from shipping or from offshore installations since 2008.

Most recently Hugh took control of the government response to the grounding of the TRANSOCEAN WINNER oil rig on the Isle of Lewis in early August 2016. The rig had lost its tow in severe weather. He led a successful salvage operation that further demonstrated his unfailing ability to remain calm and logical in a crisis and to bring parties together to prevent pollution and protect the public.

Other notable incidents establishing Hugh’s salvage expertise include the HOEGH OSAKA car-carrier that ran aground off Southampton to prevent it sinking in January 2015, the RIVERDANCE that was a wreck removal operation on Blackpool beach in 2008, and the removal of the MSC NAPOLI from Lyme Bay in 2009. Between incidents, Hugh keeps himself extremely busy engaging with the maritime sector both nationally and internationally, sharing his vast experience from incidents to help the industry improve its safety procedures.

Speaking of his award, Hugh said:  ‘To receive this OBE is an incredible honour and I’m humbled to be recognised for the maritime and salvage work.  This honour would not have been possible without the help and support of my colleagues both past and present, not only in the MCA, but also within our partner organisations, environment groups, marine insurance and salvage sector.  There have been challenging times, but this work has given me great satisfaction, especially when I know we have made a difference to the environment for future generations.’

Sir Alan Massey, CEO for the MCA said:  ‘This highly coveted honour is extremely well-deserved and I offer my warmest congratulations to Hugh, who is an inspiration to everyone at the MCA.  He has worked tirelessly to help protect the sea and coastline, the lives  of many members of the public and to uphold the high professional standards for which the Agency is recognised.’  

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