Captain John C. Timmel, president and executive director of the American Victory Mariners Memorial & Museum Ship and harbor pilot with the Tampa Bay Pilots Association, has been named "International Maritime Person of the Year" by the Propeller Club of the United States.
"It is an honor to receive such a prestigious award from my peers that acknowledges not only my efforts, but also the efforts of many," said Timmel.
Timmel spent many years leading the development efforts in Tampa’s maritime technology. In conjunction with other members of the Greater
Tampa Bay Marine
Advisory Council, Timmel helped create the carry-on portable pilot, a computerized, real-time,
vessel tracking device, which several other international ports now use. This device allows mariners to track other vessels in the waterways, helping prevent shipping collisions.
Today, Timmel heads the restoration efforts for the SS American Victory, a 57-year old Victory Class cargo ship that served in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.