Captain Iain MacKenzie, a CalMac ferry master and vice-chair of Nautilus International Council, has received national recognition for his 30 years of keeping Scottish islanders connected to medical services, loved ones and vital supplies.
Capt MacKenzie is one of several Nautilus members recognised this year with a Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service – a UK state award similar to the MBE and OBE. Recipients have the right to the letters MNM after their names.
The master commented: 'It is an honour to have been nominated for this award. My father would have been immensely proud, having served as a merchant seafarer himself.
'Serving the islands and communities has been a privilege, the scenery is stunning, the people are amazing, but the weather can be challenging at times.
'Looking after one another is vitally important, and this is something that has become increasingly clear to me through my volunteer work for the RNLI over the last 25 years.'
In total, 12 maritime professionals will receive the Merchant Navy Medal in 2025. They reasons they have been chosen include being maritime pioneers and saving lives sea, as well as for long and distinguished service in their careers.
The full list of 2025 Merchant Navy Medal recipients is as follows:
1. Captain Philippa Bowden
2. James Charles
3. Sharon Coveney
4. Captain Phillip Day
5. Claire Guy
6. Andrew Hair
7. Captain Ian Love
8. Captain Iain MacKenzie
9. Captain Christopher Phillips
10. Captain Hywel Jones Pugh
11. Julian Seaman
12. Captain Martin Willis
Fittingly, the list of recipients was announced on Merchant Navy Day, the annual event on 3 September when the UK celebrates the tireless contributions and vital role of merchant seafarers in global trade and national security.
• Captain Iain MacKenzie's work on the Scottish ferries was in the July/August 2025 Nautilus Telegraph and here on the Nautilus website. He was also featured in a video on NautilusTV.
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