The Royal Australian Navy has received a prestigious award from her sister maritime service, the Australian Merchant Navy.

The Australian Merchant Navy Awards Council bestowed its Australian Merchant Navy Commendation in a ceremony on HMAS Melville in Port Kembla last month.

As part of Australia's Centenary celebrations it was the first time the medal had been awarded to any person or organisation outside the Australian Merchant Navy.

The Chief of Navy, VADM David Shackleton approved that the Australian Hydrographic Service and the commanding officer of Melville CMDR John Maschke, receive the medal on behalf of the RAN.

The Port Kembla Harbourmaster, CAPT Bill Hoogendoorn, formally presented the medal to CMDR Maschke.

The ceremony was held on the flight deck of the hydrographic ship and was witnessed by the ship's Red Crew.

Also present was the Australian Hydrographer, CAPT Bruce Kafer and Mrs Lilly Maschke and her family.

CAPT Hoogendoorn, himself a commander in the NCS branch of the RANR, represented the Australian Merchant Navy Awards Council.

In addition to ceremonial certificates for each of the three existing commanding of the three hydrographic ship crews, CMDR Maschke (Red), LCDR Gareth Cann (White) and LCDR Michael Beard (Blue), each commanding officer was awarded an engraved Australian Merchant Navy Commendation medal.

Melville also received an engraved silver tea service.

This is the "starter" for the ship's silver collection.

Mr Daryl Smith, a master mariner and the chief executive officer of the Awards Council said, "by accepting this unique honour of the Australian Merchant Navy Commendation, as representative of the entire RAN community, you have created world maritime history, and as a skilled and experienced craftsman of the sea you have allied yourself to the international bonds of loyalty and service observed by master mariners and seamen world wide."

The commendations will be displayed in Melville, HMAS Leeuwin and the Australian Hydrographic Office.

Story by LEUT Sperring