Maritime achievements recognised in 2025 King's Birthday Honours – but Merchant Navy missing

A host of maritime professionals and volunteers have been recognised in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours for their outstanding contributions to the industry, though notably no Merchant Navy crew were among the recipients.

The honours list highlighted individuals working in maritime charities, youth development, and marine conservation. Fazilette Sultana Khan, founder of the Greenseas Trust, received an MBE for her work in marine conservation. John Paul Wilkinson of the Marine Society and Sea Cadets was also awarded an MBE for his dedication to young people.

Other MBE recipients included Captain Alistair Mackenzie, chair of the Port of Aberdeen, who was recognised for services to the maritime sector and charity, and Richard Titchener, CEO of the Sea-Change Sailing Trust and skipper of the replica Thames sailing barge Blue Mermaid – honoured for his work with disadvantaged youth.

Fishing communities were represented with an MBE for Paula Mary Daly of the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen. RNLI volunteers were also celebrated, with seven receiving either MBEs or BEMs for their life-saving efforts. Volunteer coastguard rescue officer and trainer Peter Brown of Hamble Independent Lifeboat was also awarded a BEM.

Union representation came in the form of a CBE for David Ward, general secretary of the Communication Workers' Union, and OBEs for Susan Ferns, deputy general secretary, Prospect Trade Union and Dr Patrick Roach, lately general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, for their work in green jobs and education, respectively.