The chair of the Jersey branch of a global charity dedicated to supporting the welfare of seafarers was recently recognised for his decades of service with a surprise presentation.
Brian Penaluna was presented with a long service award by the Mission to Seafarers’ regional director for Europe, the Reverend Steve Morgan.
The certificate, which had been signed by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne – the charity’s president – recognised Mr Penaluna’s 40 years of dedicated service as a member of the Jersey branch.
During the early days of his seagoing career, Mr Penaluna joined the fellowship of the then Missions to Seamen in Melbourne, later becoming a committee member of the Jersey branch when it was formed in 1985 and eventually serving as its chair.
The Reverend Steve Morgan said it was “a great honour” to have presented the long service award to Mr Penaluna.
“Brian has served Missions to Seamen for over 67 years as a volunteer, which I’m sure is a record,” he continued.
“My heartfelt gratitude to Brian and to the rest of the team for all the work they do in supporting seafarers.”
Captain Brian Nibbs, the founding chair of the charity’s Jersey branch, added: “I have known Brian both as a fellow seafarer and a committee member, and the award is well deserved.”
Announcing the award, the charity stated that: “Brian leads the branch with a collaborative approach, earning the full confidence of the committee.”
It continued: “Under his stewardship, the branch organises awareness and fundraising events including talks and services on Sea Sunday, Lent Lunches, and the sale of Christmas cards.
“Most important to the branch is the visiting of ships in the port at St Helier over the Easter and Christmas holidays when locally sourced gifts are presented to crew members, bringing comfort and connection to seafarers far from home during the festive season.”