NSW Maritime Medal

About the NSW Maritime Medal

The NSW Maritime Medal is awarded for outstanding and sustained contributions by individuals or organisations to the maritime community in NSW. The award presents the opportunity to highlight the importance of safe and responsible boating practices, and encourage safe boating participation in communities across NSW.

The NSW Maritime Medal is awarded every two years by the Minister . The nomination process is managed by the Centre for Maritime Safety with the Maritime Medal Selection Committee comprising of Maritime Advisory Council members as well as TfNSW representatives.

NSW Maritime Medallists for 2021 

Ian Baker – Safety Medal

Ian Baker was the recipient of the Safety Medal as part of the NSW Maritime Medals for 2021. This award recognises Ian’s outstanding and sustained effort in promoting safety for the maritime community of NSW.

Ian has been a devoted volunteer with Marine Rescue NSW for more than 45 years. His role as operational Search and Rescue Support Officer and Coxswain has seen Ian participate in more than 400 rescues, he has also served in every unit role within Marine Rescue NSW and earned the respect of everyone he has volunteered with, including members he mentors.

As part of his volunteer work, Ian also runs boat licence and radio courses for the public as well as courses for Marine Rescue NSW members. Ian’s passion for boat safety does not stop there and he devotes entire weekends to conducting training or rostered boat duty as a skipper.

Ian’s professionalism, dedication and extensive maritime safety expertise continue to inspire other volunteers to maintain and extend their skills and knowledge in maritime safety for the benefit of the wider community.

Eric Taylor – Community Medal

Eric Taylor was the recipient of the Community Medal as part of the NSW Maritime Medals for 2021. A Transport for NSW Boating Safety Officer and long-time volunteer with several community organisations, this award recognises Eric’s outstanding and sustained contribution to the boating and maritime community.

Eric has made significant contributions to maritime safety in regional Australia, including a combined 30 years’ involvement with events, including water ski racing, Royal Flying Doctor Service paddle events and Scouting events, demonstrating his longstanding continued efforts for his community.

Eric began working for NSW Maritime in Sydney in 1977 and transferred to Mildura in northwest Victoria in 1992 where he was the only NSW Maritime representative in the area with the responsibility of the Murray River and Darling River.

The region which Eric patrols is the largest in NSW and this poses unique but significant challenges such as remoteness and extreme conditions. For more than 45 years Eric has displayed incredible leadership, irreplaceable knowledge, mentorship of colleagues, dedication to training the public in water safety, and all-round positive attitude.

Eric was previously awarded the Roads and Maritime Services Integrity Award for his significant oversight of a paddle boat salvage operation on the Murray River in 2015 and the NSW Service Medallion for more than 40 years’ meritorious service to the NSW Government in 2018.

Past recipients