Above photo: (L-R) Robin Quinlan alongside Robert Crosbie and Tim Crosbie receiving the Industry Leadership and Excellence Award for Crosbie Group. Submitted Photo
The 2024 Turning the Tide Marine Industry Awards, a collection of five awards given to leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador’s marine sector, were recently presented on September 28.
The award ceremony, a black-tie gala event held at the St. John’s Convention Centre in St. John’s, N.L., was hosted for the second year in a row by Paul Antle, CEO and President of Pluto Investments Inc. Musical guests included The Irish Descendants, Renée Antle and Bille Brennan.
In 2024, the Industry Leader and Excellence award, which is awarded “to an outstanding business that has demonstrated leadership, innovation and integrity in its own growth and in support of the industry” was presented to Crosbie Group. Crosbie Group was lauded for their continuous pioneering of fishing practices, marine insurance, coastal shipping and offshore oil and gas ventures since their inception in 1900 by Sir John Crosbie.
The Industry Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to “an individual who is viewed as having demonstrated exemplary leadership in driving excellence in their sector and has contributed to the positive image and betterment of the industry” was given to Chief Mi’sel Joe of Miawpukek First Nation. Chief Mi’sel Joe was recognized for diversifying the economy of Miawpukek First Nation through partnerships in the marine industry, which has led to the community boasting 100 per cent employment rates.
The Innovation Leadership Award, given to “a company or individual that is entrepreneurial and has taken on the risk and personal sacrifice that so often defines the road to a novel solution” was presented to C-CORE. Led by CEO Paul Griffin, C-CORE was established within the Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science in 1975. Since then, C-CORE has evolved to provide research-based advisory services and technology solutions with a focus on mitigating operation risk and enhancing safety, efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the industry.
The Award of Historical Marine Significance, awarded to “an individual, organization or community that through either a singular accomplishment, or a multitude of activities, has turned the tides of history” was granted to Captain Robert Bartlett. Bartlett’s seafaring legacy spans over 50 years, in which he commanded some of history’s most daring Arctic expeditions. Starting out as a schooner skipper, he would go on to captain the Roosevelt polar explorer and survive many shipwrecks and months in the ruthless Arctic. His expeditions helped the world better understand the Arctic through the gathering of scientific data, photographs and film reels.
The final award, the Next Wave Leadership Award, is presented to “a young professional under the age of 35, who has displayed great leadership qualities and who has already made noteworthy contributions to the sector.” The 2024 awardee was Jason Edmunds from Nunatsiavut, Labrador. Edmunds is the only Inuit expedition leader of any cruise company in the world in his work with Adventure Canada. He has been recognized by the New York Explorer’s Club in the list of “50 Extraordinary People in the World.”
“We are proud to annually celebrate the accomplishments, innovation and leadership of those in our marine industry. This year’s recipients again demonstrate and reflect the excellence of amazing individuals and organizations in our province,” said Antle. “It is through these annual awards that we recognize leadership and significant contributions to our marine sector. We are proud of the role we play in preserving marine heritage and supporting industry. Today’s recipients are part of that legacy.”
