JPMA Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Maritime Leadership and Training
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Welcome to the JPMA Awards, where we take immense pride in honouring outstanding individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to training within the maritime industry. As we reflect on the achievements of 2023, and invite nominations for 2024, we are delighted to celebrate the remarkable recipients of the John Percival Leadership Award and the JPMA Student Star Award.
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The John Percival Leadership Award –
‘Commitment to Training, Commitment to Crew’
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Established in remembrance of Captain John Percival, a visionary advocate for onboard training and crew development, the John Percival Leadership Award recognises individuals who embody his ideals of mentorship, crew development, and dedication to excellence.
This year, we are thrilled to announce Captain Lourentia Schreuder as the deserving winner of the 10th-anniversary edition of this prestigious award.
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Here’s what Lourentia’s crew had to say about her:
“When I heard that Captain L had won, I wasn’t surprised. Anyone that meets our incredible captain, knows she is a true force to be reckoned with!
With adrenaline rushing through her veins, she leads our vessel with passion, advocating for excellence every step of the way. And now she has soared to new heights, capturing this coveted award for her outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication.
Her infectious energy and unyielding passion create an electric atmosphere, inspiring the crew to push beyond their limits and achieve greatness. We will celebrate our remarkable captain, the heart and soul of our team, making waves and revolutionising the game.
A visionary, a role model, and an unforgettable force. I look forward to working with her, for years to come.
Well done again Cap, you truly deserve this!”
Nathaniel Day, Chief Mate.
“Captain Lourentia has changed my perspective of the yachting industry and allowed me to love what I do every day.
I have known Lourentia in the industry before working under her, and I was always hoping she would be my captain one day. Lourentia called me 2 years after I left the yacht, after hearing good things about my previous work onboard, and asked if I would want to come back under her as the new captain aboard.
I absolutely took the position. Since then, I have never been happier in my career.
Lourentia has this professional way of inspiring all her crew, no one is more important than the other, we are all one big team, and I am so grateful for her choosing me to be by her side as the Chief Stewardess. Working under Lourentia you have a voice, you feel relaxed, you can focus on your job, and you’ll always have support when needed.
I see myself now continuing my yachting career for longer than I ever thought.
I am so proud of her also, she deserves this.”
Brittany Finnegan, Chief Stewardess.
“I have been working under Captain Lourentia for the past year and a half. During this time, I’ve witnessed her wholeheartedly dedicating herself to the boat and the crew.
Captain Lourentia has taken the time to get to know every crew member on a personal level while guiding us to become the best versions of ourselves.
She is a wealth of knowledge, and her door is always open. She knows how to motivate, share knowledge, and instil confidence in every crew member.
All of this contributes to a happy, safe, and professionally well-run vessel, which I have seen her achieve.”
Joey Lowcock, Chief Officer.
On hearing the news that she had won the award, Lourentia told us:
“Thank you for this acknowledgement, I feel truly honoured to receive the JPMA Leadership award.
I’ve been with my current employer going on 8 years now and was promoted to captain at the start of 2022.
Before I took command, I spent a lot of time thinking about the type of leader I wanted to be, what values and attributes meant most to me as a leader.
A strong commitment to teamwork, and an unwavering dedication to empathy, always stood out.
Two quotes that really stand out to me from two great leaders are:
“Leadership is about empathy. It is about relating to and connecting with people to inspire and empower their lives.” – Oprah Winfrey
“The quality I look for most is optimism: especially optimism in the face of reverses and apparent defeat. Optimism is true moral courage.” – Sir Ernest Shackleton
I firmly believe that true leadership is not just about giving orders, but about inspiring and empowering others to reach their full potential. For me, effective leadership is rooted in empathy, the ability to understand and relate to the emotions and experiences of others. This philosophy has become the cornerstone of my leadership style.
Throughout my career, and even more so now since I’ve become a Captain, I have prioritised building strong relationships with my crew members, taking the time to understand their unique strengths, challenges, and aspirations. By fostering an environment of trust and open communication, I have created a safe space for my team to express themselves and contribute their best.
I actively listen to my crew, valuing their opinions and their ideas. I encourage collaboration and ensure that every team member feels heard and respected. By embracing diverse perspectives, we can harness the collective intelligence of the team, leading to innovative solutions and enhanced performance. By fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie, I believe we create a shared purpose that motivates one another to go above and beyond.
I want crew to be inquisitive, to ask question and to challenge themselves to go beyond what they ‘think’ they can do, and, in turn, I will to the best of my ability help guide them through it all.
Conflicts are inevitable in any team, but I address them with empathy and fairness. By facilitating open dialogues, encouraging team members to express their concerns and find mutually beneficial solutions I find this approach not only resolves conflicts but also strengthens relationships within the team.
I believe if everyone has a bit more empathy toward one another, we will find that there are immense benefits to be had.
If we strive to support one another, uplift one another, focus on the bigger picture and not just ourselves, I believe we will find great success together and, in turn, in ourselves, building a team that we can all truly be proud of.”
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We received some very strong entries for this prestigious award and would like to thank all of those people who invested time in making a nomination, and recognising the hard work of their fellow crew.
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Voting is now open for the 2024 John Percival Leadership Award -as we embark on another year of excellence, we invite you to participate in voting for our 2024 Leadership Award. Join us in celebrating crew members who demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities, going above and beyond in guiding and nurturing their peers, ensuring high standards across all departments. Email your nomination now!
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to excellence in maritime leadership and training.
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JPMA’s 2023 Student Star Award –
‘A Smooth Sea Never Made a Skilled Sailor’
In addition to the John Percival Leadership Award, we are thrilled to highlight the recipient of the JPMA Student Star Award. This award celebrates individuals who have shown exceptional commitment and dedication to their studies, regardless of challenges faced.
As an RYA and MCA training centre it is our aim to provide advice, training and guidance to all students we meet. Whilst our instructors are here to deliver education and training, they also emotionally support students throughout their studies, whether they’re attending a 1 day or 3 week course.
During 2023 we asked our instructors to nominate students who they had taught during the year, who they felt had shown commitment and dedication to their studies, regardless of outcomes. Those people who, despite working on a busy charter yacht, had put in hours of pre-course study, students who had battled dyslexia or overcome adversity, and students who just knuckled down and tried their best.
WINNER – STEVE HOGG
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Steve’s journey towards obtaining his Y4 Engineering CoC serves as a testament to his unwavering determination and resilience. Despite numerous obstacles, Steve’s perseverance and dedication shone through, earning him the admiration of his instructors and peers alike.
Our Engineering Instructors had this to say about Steve:
“Steve has spent the last 5 years working towards his Y4 Engineering CoC. Unfortunately, this was hampered by a number of external forces that he had no control over – despite this, he has persevered with determination to achieve his Y4 CoC .
In 2019 he gained his Y4 NoE and began to undertake the written modules at the end of that year. The rest of his training came to an abrupt halt due to the Covid pandemic. For an extended period of time there were no training providers able to offer the written exams for Y4, and once we were able to open our doors again, travel restrictions and further lockdowns put paid to any attempts to do the courses.
Steve was finally able to begin attending the written modules at JPMA in early 2023. However, the advent of the Small Vessel Engineer route, and phasing out of the Yacht Engineer route, meant that he was now on a tight schedule to get the Y4 courses completed, before his NoE was due to expire in early 2024. If he didn’t successfully complete the three written module exams and the MCA oral exam in this short time frame, he would have to start all over again on the SV route, meaning another delay in obtaining a CoC.
Despite this external pressure and working on a busy yacht, Steve arrived at JPMA fully prepared for every course he attended. His strong work ethic and dedication in the classroom was noted by all the instructors who taught him during his time at JPMA. Steve would not quit, and went the extra mile to ensure that he passed the Y4 courses before his deadline. By the end of the summer Steve was the proud recipient of a shiny new Y4 CoC – congratulations Steve!”
On hearing the news, Steve shared his thoughts:
“It’s been a long haul but well worth it. I want to thank the JPMA team for all their help.
I have proven to myself that if you really want something in life you can go out and get it.
Good luck and never stop learning!”
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We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Steve and express our gratitude to all students who chose JPMA for their training in 2023.