Paul Sadler, former representative of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), and prior to that representative of the Government of the United Kingdom to IMO, has received the International Maritime Prize for 2020.
The prize was presented at the annual IMO Awards Ceremony, that honours exceptional bravery at sea. IACS and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland nominated Mr. Sadler for the prize, which is awarded annually to the individual or organization judged to have made a significant contribution to the work and objectives of IMO.
The recipient of the 2020 International Maritime Prize is someone who has spent many days here in the IMO corridors and has dedicated his entire career to shipping safety and the maritime industry. Mr. Sadler, Paul, you are truly a worthy recipient of the International Maritime Prize
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said.
According to IMO, Mr. Sadler has had an “illustrious maritime career”, during which he served as a surveyor for the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, represented the United Kingdom, then later IACS at IMO meetings and acted as a Governor of the World Maritime University (WMU).
He has also voluntarily delivered academic lectures to students and maritime industry organisations in the UK and overseas on the IMO and the roles of classification societies and recognized organizations.
Mr. Sadler’s work at IMO and his advocacy for “robust, pragmatic, and effective maritime regulation was recognized with a Distinguished Public Service Award”, awarded by the United States Coast Guard in 2017.
Accepting his award, Mr. Sadler stated:
I firmly believe I am only receiving this award because of all the talented, inspiring, and dedicated people I had the good fortune of working with; not just in the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency and IACS, but also here at the IMO
Addressing the audience, Mr. Sadler added that “it is not just that the IMO is needed to facilitate global trade that spurs you, year after year, to prepare carefully for and actively participate in IMO meetings.”
It is also that, when you go home to your loved ones after an IMO meeting, you know you have played a vital role in getting all those who ‘go down to the sea in ships’ safely home to their loved ones
