2023 Admirals’ Medal Recipient: Captain David (Duke) Snider, FNI, FRGS

The NAC congratulates the 2023 recipient of the Admirals’ Medal, Captain David (Duke) Snider, FNI, FRGS. Duke is recognized for his global reputation, built over the past 20 years, for competence and expertise in ice navigation, contributing significantly to the safety of shipping in Canada’s far north. Coincident with full-time employment in the CCG culminating as Regional Director Fleet – Western Region, he established his own consultancy providing polar shipping and ice navigation training as well as hands-on navigation expertise. Martech Polar Consultants has been recognized in the Shipping Industry as the “Best” Polar Ice Pilotage and Navigation Specialists in 2018 and 2019. Duke was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 2008, he is a recipient of the US Antarctic Service Medal and the Canada-Finland Medal for his accomplishments in the development and practice of ice-navigating standards. He served as President of the Nautical Institute 2016-18, and was instrumental in the establishment of the NI Ice Navigator qualification, and incorporation of similar requirements in the IMO Polar Code. His book Polar Ship Operations (now in its 2nd edition) is a recognized textbook for ice-navigator training. This book is presented by the NAC to the top Naval Warfare Officer graduating from their respective classes at HMCS Venture throughout the year. Duke is a member of NAC-VI. An Admirals’ Medal presentation ceremony will be organized in the new year. BZ Duke.

Official Citation

Captain David (Duke) Snider, FNI, FRGS, is recognized for his global reputation, built over the past 40 years, for competence and expertise in ice navigation, contributing significantly to the safety of shipping in Canada’s far north. Coincident with full-time employment in the Canadian Coast Guard culminating as Regional Director Fleet — Western Region, he established his own consultancy providing polar shipping and ice navigation training as well as hands-on navigation expertise.  Martech Polar Consultants has been recognized in the Shipping Industry as the “Best” Polar Ice Pilotage and Navigation Specialists in 2018 and 2019.

Himself elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 2008, he is a recipient of the US Antarctic Service Medal and the Canada-Finland Medal for his accomplishments in the development and practice of ice-navigating standards.  He served as President of the Nautical Institute 2016-18, is now a Trustee and member of the Executive Board and Finance and Administration committee and was instrumental in the establishment of the NI Ice Navigator qualification, and incorporation of similar requirements in the IMO Polar Code.  He continues to be active in Polar Code discussions at IMO today. His book Polar Ship Operations (now in its 2nd edition) is a recognized textbook for ice-navigator training.