Royal Navy junior officer rewarded for outstanding seamanship averting collision

Lieutenant David Hardiman realised the GNV Sirio was on a collision course with HMS Prince of Wales as the two sailed through the Tyrrhenian Sea between Italy and Sardinia in November last year.

The UK flagship was just days away from home as a demanding seven-month deployment as she was sailing through the sea ahead of embarking Italian F-35B stealth fighters for an exercise.

As Officer of the Watch, Lt Hardiman was responsible for the safe navigation of the 65,000-tonne warship, directing the small bridge team guiding the carrier through the night.

Around 2.30am on November 19 2025, Lieutenant Hardiman noticed a contact 15 nautical miles from the warship on the radar.

There was nothing at the time to trouble the flagship – carrying 1,600 souls and a full air group at the time – but as the two vessels approached each other, the ferry suddenly altered direction and the distance rapidly closed, putting the pair on a collision course.

Recognising the growing danger, Lieutenant Hardiman acted immediately. He maintained close monitoring of the contact, ordered the ship to turn to starboard to increase separation and called the Navigator to the bridge.

As the risk escalated, he ordered the engines to run astern to reduce speed and prepared the ship for a possible collision.

Thanks to the young officer’s actions, however, the ferry passed around 400 yards ahead of HMS Prince of Wales’ bow and disaster was averted thanks to his swift assessment of the danger and actions.

It earned Lt Hardiman the Lady Swaythling Trophy for outstanding seamanship from the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society at the charity’s annual Skill and Gallantry Awards, presented by former First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas.

“Lieutenant Hardiman demonstrated exceptional composure, judgement and professionalism at a moment of significant danger,” said the charity’s Chief Executive Captain Justin Osmond RN.