A NAUTICAL expert with links to the Lake District has been given a lifetime achievement accolade.

Julian Parker, who moved to Grasmere when he was two, is to retire this summer as secretary of the Nautical Institute, the world's leading professional body in promoting seafaring standards.

During a glittering gala dinner at the former Royal Naval College at Greenwich, he became the first recipient of the Lloyd's List Special Recognition award.

Tributes were paid to his professionalism, infectious good humour and untiring pursuit of improved mariner safety, and the award was made in front of several hundred industry peers at the Lloyd's List Maritime Excellence Awards 2003.

Mr Parker's mother, Leonie, who has moved to Crosby Ravensworth after living in Grasmere for 40 years, said she felt "tremendously proud" of her son. "I think he deserves a pat on his back, really very firmly," she said.

Mr Parker attended prep school in Cornwall, returning home to Grasmere for the holidays, and went on to naval college at Pangbourne, on the River Thames.

At 16 he joined the Merchant Navy, with the Blue Funnel Line. After qualifying as a master he joined Liverpool University and took a nautical science degree. In 1973 he was asked to be secretary of the Nautical Institute.

Mrs Parker said her son travelled the world with his job, to countries such as India, Greece and Australia, and had put the institute on the map.

Mr Parker lives in Harpenden, and is married to Christine. They have two children, Nicholas and Sonja.

April 10, 2003 09:30