Nautilus International has paid tribute to former deputy general secretary Peter McEwen MBE, who died peacefully on Saturday 6 September at the age of 78, surrounded by his family.
Mr McEwen had devoted 36 years of his life to championing seafarers' rights and welfare, transforming how the Union cares for maritime professionals through his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to progress.
Having joined the Union's staff in 1978, he soon established himself as a formidable advocate for maritime workers. His integrity and strategic vision earned him respect across the industry, whilst his tireless efforts on behalf of members left an indelible mark on countless careers and lives.
Known for his mantra 'if you stand still, you go backwards', Mr McEwen drove the Union to constantly evolve and improve. His philosophy shaped the development of Mariners' Park, the Union's flagship welfare facility that stands today as testament to his forward-thinking approach. He also served members' interests on the boards of the various Merchant Navy pension schemes.
Beyond welfare and pension provision, Mr McEwen played a crucial role in shaping the modern structure of Nautilus International, building on the work of predecessor unions such as the MNAOA and NUMAST. He worked extensively on NUMAST's partnership with the Dutch maritime union FWZ in the 2000s, which led to the two unions jointly forming Nautilus International in 2009 – bringing together maritime professionals under one strong voice. Two years later, he helped establish Nautilus's Switzerland branch when the Union took over Unia's maritime activities, expanding the organisation's international reach.
In 2010, McEwen received an MBE for his service to the maritime community. Characteristically modest, he deflected credit to his colleagues, saying: 'I believe that this award is a real recognition for the team we have at Nautilus International – the staff, our Committee, and their commitment to the membership and the people we care for.'
After retiring from Nautilus in 2014, Mr McEwen served as chair of the Seafarers Hospital Society until 2022 and continued as a Trustee of the MNAOA Supplementary Pension Scheme until January this year, when illness forced him to step down.
Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson said the maritime community had 'lost a true champion' whose memory would be 'forever cherished' by family, friends and colleagues.
'For a generation of maritime workers, Peter McEwen embodied the principle that unions must constantly evolve to serve their members effectively. His legacy lives on in every seafarer who benefits from the services and protections he fought to establish and improve.'
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