"Honoured" trailblazing Portsmouth Merchant Navy captain awarded prestigious medal by Princess Anne
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One of Merchant Navy’s most accomplished female captains has been honoured with a prestigious medal by Princess Anne.
Captain Phillippa Bowden, from Portsmouth, has been awarded the Merchant Navy Medal today for going beyond the call of duty while serving her country. The 36-year-old has led numerous expeditions across the globe in some of the world’s most dangerous seas.
“I feel honoured to be recognised for my contributions to safety and the continued education of seafarers,” she said. “As an island nation, the Merchant Navy is an essential lifeline for the UK, and this medal helps shine a light on the efforts of all our seafarers. I hope to keep inspiring future maritime leaders through my work and ambassadorship roles.”
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Trailblazer
One of Capt Bowden’s most extraordinary accomplishments is becoming the only British female captain in the UK to obtain an Unlimited Master's License. After earning her ice pilot license when she was 28, she was allowed to operate any ship of any size anywhere in the world.
The Portsmouth native has led numerous expeditions, including to the remote Ross and Weddell Seas. She also piloted the biggest cruise ship to have ever operated in Antarctica, carrying 2,470 passengers.
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Capt Bowden has been an Antarctic ambassador since 2023 and made invaluable contributions to marine mammal observations in the region, strongly advocating for environmental protections there. From reporting whale sightings to cloud observations, she previously won an award from the UK meteorological office for her contributions to climatic observations.
Capt Bowden participates in panels and webinars to discuss life at sea, while acting as a mentor for young female sailors. She would often be the only female sailor on board during her early career.
Monica Kohli OBE, president of WISTA UK - an organisation that supports women in maritime and logistics sectors - said: “I warmly congratulate Captain Philippa Bowden on being awarded the prestigious Merchant Navy Medal. We are delighted to see women in shipping and trade being recognised at the highest levels, and this honour is a testament to her outstanding contribution to our industry.
“We take pride in nominating and supporting women who serve as true role models, inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in maritime and trade.”
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Twelve British sailors were recognised for their Meritorious Service to the nation, with today being Merchant Navy Day. Maritime minister Mike Kane, Labour MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, said: “It is incredibly inspiring to hear about the dedication, bravery, and outstanding service of all this year’s seafarers, each of whom have gone above and beyond in their roles and are more than deserving of this special award.
“I am so proud of the UK Merchant Navy who continue to go beyond the call of duty to keep our country safe and moving, and I congratulate this year’s recipients on their remarkable achievements.”
it is the 20th anniversary of the Merchant Navy Medal being founded. Stuart Rivers, CEO of Merchant Navy Welfare Board, said: “Huge congratulations to this year’s Merchant Navy Medal recipients. Each one represents the very best of our maritime community — people who show resilience, dedication and selflessness every single day. Their impact goes far beyond ships and crews, shaping the strength and spirit of our entire industry.”