"Peter Larom's extraordinary leadership of the Institute expanded its capability to serve mariners. Our legacy is so much richer because of his initiatives," said the Rev. Dr. Jean R. Smith, Executive Director.

Canon Larom served as SCI's Executive Director from 1992-2002. His legacy includes brick and mortar projects such as building the Center for Maritime Education in Paducah, Kentucky. Opened in 1997, this facility was the first simulator-based training facility for mariners on inland waterways. This project was followed four years later by the Center for Maritime Education - Gulf Region in Houston, Texas that provides training for deep-sea, coastal, and inland mariners.

Other projects started under Canon Larom include the International Training Center for Workplace Ministry (ITC) in 1995 as well as the WorldHaven network that connects ITC graduates to SCI and to each other. Canon Larom led several neighborhood endeavors in Lower Manhattan. These include the formation in 1993 of the Seaport North Business Association and leading SCI's 13-day, 24-hour, Emergency Relief Efforts following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Now the Executive Director of Incarnation Center in Ivoryton, Connecticut, he is also a consultant to SCI for its recently formed Alliance of Episcopal Maritime Ministries.

Canon Larom's strengths were apparent well before his tenure at the Institute. Prior to joining SCI, he served for seven years as Rector of Grace Episcopal Church and President of Grace Church Community Center in White Plains, New York. There he founded, in 1986, the Hope for the Homeless Dinner, which became Westchester's largest charitable event. The Community Center's outreach programs included a shelter for abused women and a feeding program.

Canon Larom also brought extensive experience in property development to the Institute. Concurrent with his appointment at SCI, he became President of Episcopal Housing Corporation, where he led such projects as the building of senior citizen housing and countless renovation projects for New York parishes.

The Rev. Canon Peter Larom and his wife Margaret have been married 27 years and have two grown children, Chris and Daisy.

Captain John A. Gaughan to receive the Distinguished Service Award

Captain John A. Gaughan, Vice President for Government Affairs with the American Maritime Congress (AMC), will receive the Distinguished Service Award for service to the United States in 2003 as the Principal Maritime Advisor to the Iraq Ministry of Transportation and Communications.

He provided the oversight that resulted in the resumption of Iraq's maritime transportation system through the rebuilding of the Port of Umm Qasr, and the organization of Iraq's maritime infrastructure, freight handling terminals and other maritime-related activities and ocean transportation.

Mr. Gaughan has 29 years of experience in a number of government posts, including serving in the White House as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Military Office under President Bill Clinton and President George Herbert Walker Bush, Maritime Administrator during the Reagan Administration, and as Chief of Staff of the Department of Transportation from 1989-1991.

A 1970 graduate from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, he received a degree from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1997.

Walter M. Kramer to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award

Mr. Walter M. Kramer will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for his 43 years of service to the maritime industry as President of the American Institute of Marine Underwriters (AIMU).

From 1960 until his retirement in 2003, Mr. Kramer improved AMIU¹s worldwide network of surveyors who aid members in handling claims with speed and efficiency. Mr. Kramer created AIMU’s Weekly Bulletin, which provides members with current information on maritime matters, media reports, legislation and court decisions.

He began numerous educational programs that foster the highest standards of professionalism, stimulate creativity and innovation and enhance the industry¹s traditional commitment to service.

Mr. Kramer lobbied in Washington D.C. to ensure that U.S. marine insurers were heard by lawmakers, regulators and international bodies. He testified before congressional committees and worked closely with organizations and participated in coalitions focused on improving safety and preventing cargo-related crime.

Bow Mariner U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Team to receive the Lifesaving Award

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard's 5th District will receive the Lifesaving Award for the rescue of the Bow Mariner crew. The Bow Mariner exploded on Feb. 28, 2004 off the coast of Virginia after leaving Linden, New Jersey. The cargo included 3.2 million gallons of industrial grade ethanol.

U.S. Coast Guard aircraft, along with a 47-foot motor lifeboat and Coast Guard cutters, searched for survivors. U.S. Coast Guard divers searched in the frigid waters that included fuels from the vessel such as industrial ethanol, diesel fuel, and fuel oil.

The Coast Guard rescue team accounted for nine crewmembers, six survivors and three dead; but the 18 remaining crew members have not been found. The six Filipino survivors were found in one lifeboat.  The Coast Guard found two other lifeboats, one badly burned and the other capsized.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. to receive the Lifesaving Award

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will receive the Lifesaving Award for two dramatic rescues by its ships in June 2003. On June 20th at 9 p.m., en route to New York in 30-knot winds and nine-foot seas, bridge officers on the Nordic Empress saw two rescue flares shoot from the water into the sky ahead of them and to their port side. The ship immediately changed course and the ship's personnel prepared for an emergency rescue. The vessel's searchlights found a capsized 50-foot racing sailboat with two men clinging to its rudders. The ship's captain, Yngvar Knutsen, carefully positioned Nordic Empress to block the wind and waves as the ship lowered a rescue boat. By 10:05 p.m., the two sailors were safely onboard Nordic Empress.

On June 13, Radiance of the Seas made a similar rescue of three Canadian fishermen. Radiance of the Seas was sailing south toward Vancouver, when at approximately 5 a.m. it received an emergency radio call from the Canadian Coast Guard. An 80-foot fishing vessel was sinking after having been overtaken by 40-knot winds and 12-foot seas. The fishing vessel was 15 miles ahead of Radiance of the Seas. Captain Kent Ringborn ordered the ship to full speed and reached the nearly submerged fishing vessel at 6 a.m. By that time, the three fishermen had spent approximately 90 minutes in the 50-degree water. If not for their rescue suits, they likely would not have survived much longer.

For more information about attending the awards dinner, contact Director of Special Events Jennifer Koenig, 212/349-9090 Ext 241, jkoenig@seamenschurch.org.

The Seamen's Church Institute's mission is to advance the personal, professional, and spiritual well being of mariners worldwide. Established in 1834, SCI is an ecumenical agency affiliated with the Episcopal Church.