Croatian Navy members recipients of “Pride of Croatia”
The crew of theTraining Ship of the Croatian Navy Training Ship “Andrija Mohorovičić” and seaman Tony Čančar are the recipients of the “Pride of Croatia” prize (Ponos Hrvatske), which was formally awarded to them in Zagreb on 28th January 2016.
The 54-member crew of the Croatian Navy “Andrija Mohorovičić” (49 members of the Croatian Armed Forces and five members of the Border Police) earned the prize for having particpated in the joint EU-led humanitarian operation “Triton , where in three months (30 July to 5 October 2015) they saved the lives of more than 2,500 migrants. The commander of the first Croatian contingent to the Operation Triton was Lieutenant Commander Vlade Zoko, and the Ship commander was Lieutenant (N)Stjepan Giljević.
Lieutenant Commander Vlade Zoko, the Commander of the 1st Croatian contingent to “ Triton“ shared his feelings of pride and happiness. “I am proud that the crew have performed the task entrusted and safely returned to Croatia. I am happy because saving just one human life is like saving the entire world and we had the opportunity to do that ourselves”.
The “Andrija Mohorovičić” Commander, Lieutenant (N) Stjepan Giljević expressed his honour over leading the group of great honor to be in the company of people who have done great deeds;“this refers not only to the crew but to the logistic support team on the shore and the members of the Ministry of the Interior by our side. Our true prize, the one to remember for our lifetime, is having rescued so many human lives“.
The brave seaman Tony Čančar last August rescued a 10-year drowning girl in the Mali Brijun island in bad weather and dark.
“I heard a child’s voice screaming and saw a girl in the sea. I did not hesitate for a single moment and jumped from the ship, with my uniform and boots on. I managed to rescue the girl within seconds, she was conscious and left uninjured ” said Seaman Čančar.
The prize “Pride of Croatia” (Ponos Hrvatske) is awarded by the non-profit organisation to the individuals in recognition to their outstanding humanity, courage and altruism.
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