COMSAT Mobile Communications (CMC) was honored with the Maritime Safety Award at the Seaman's Church Institute's 24th Annual
Silver Bell Awards Dinner in New York City on June 14.
The plaque, mounted on a large life ring, cites CMC and vigilant earth station operators, "For an abiding commitment to professionalism and innovative approaches to maritime safety."
In addition to noting CMC's variety of data, high-speed data and voice mobile satellite communications services, the Maritime Safety Award also recognized CMC's operators and their ability to respond effectively in emergency situations.
Traditionally, the Seaman's Church Institute Maritime Safety Award is presented to groups or individuals at the Silver Bell Awards dinner in recognition of a specific event, such as a rescue or dedicated commitment to the industry, This year, however, the interest in CMC was attributed to several media stories of the company's involvement in sea rescues, including the December 2000 report of the rescue of the 34 crewmembers aboard the SeaBreeze I, which sank in rough seas several hundred miles off the coast of Virginia.
CMC operator Eileen Joyce's initiative in establishing communications with the U.S. Coast Guard and the sinking trip proved to be the critical link in getting Coast Guard rescue personnel to the ship in time to save the crew.