The Father Maurice Lalonde Spirit of the Seas Award is the highest honor that the Council of American Master Mariners can give its members. It is named for one of our members, Captain/Father Maurice Lalonde. Father Lalonde, in his early career, graduated from the New York State Maritime Academy and served as a Naval Officer in WW II. He then went back to sea as a civilian mariner, sailing in all deck officer billets, including Master Mariner. He then came ashore and studied for the Catholic priesthood. After his ordination, he went back to sea for awhile and donated his salary to his priestly order. He again returned ashore and spent most of his remaining career as a foreign missionary. He obviously is a man of a tremendously giving nature. The recipients of this award represent this kind of overall selfless spirit.
2010 Nominations
Nominations for the 2010 Lalonde "Spirit of the Seas' award are now open. Nomination forms have been distributed to all chapter presidents and regional vice presidents or may be downloaded here (pdf format). Nomination forms must be returned by U.S. mail and must be postmarked by January 20, 2010 to be considered for this prestigious award. The 2010 award will be presented at the 2010 AGM in Tampa on April 23, 2010 at the Hilton Airport Westshore Hotel.
Nominations are open to any member, living or deceased, for all of the following: humanitarianism, professionalism, seamanship, life-time achievement and noteworthy accomplishments, along with contributions to the maritime industry and the 'Spirit of the Seas' in their everyday lives. An eligible nominee may be a member in any category of the CAMM National organization in good standing (who is/was current in their dues to CAMM National and to their chapter, if they were also chapter members). Individuals must be nominated by a CAMM National member who also is in good standing.
Mail your nominations, along with all supporting documents, by January 20, 2010, to:
Capt. Robert Phillips, Chair
Lalonde Award Review Committee
319 Midway Drive
River Ridge, LA 70123-2023