Obituary of William Stanley Gordon Morrison

MORRISON, William Stanley Gordon(Extra Master, F.N.I., F.R.I.N.)It is with great sadness that the family of Stan Morrison announces his passing on Friday, September 11, 2020, at the age of 92 years. Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Stan leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Christine, their three children, Bill (Lynn), Gordon (Carol) and Wendy, and four grandchildren – Kirk, Denise, Luke, and Will. Stan dedicated over 36 years of his career in the Federal and International Public Service, in the field of maritime navigation and ship’s safety. Stan began his career with the Royal Merchant Navy in 1944. He spent his first two years as a Cadet on HMS Conway. He joined Prince Line Limited, assigned to The Southern Prince, part of a fleet of 5 merchant ships intended to support British Naval Operations in the Far East. His career with the Merchant Navy took him to Port Harcourt, on the Niger River in West Africa, New York, Manila, through the Panama Canal, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Hong Kong. Following service with Prince Line, Captain Morrison obtained his certificate as Extra Master, being awarded the Royal Society of Arts Silver Medal in 1955. After a short period of time teaching maritime subjects at Cardiff. He then emigrated to Canada to join the Canadian Hydrographic Service where he assisted in surveying the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador. He transferred to the Canadian Coast Guard, during which time he gained broad experience in ship surveying, the review of nautical training programs, the examination of masters and mates for certificates of competency, and the investigations of shipping casualties. He participated in various conferences and meetings of the International Maritime Organization and the International Labour Organization, and over a four year period acted as Chairman of the IMO Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation. Eventually, in 1978, he accepted a position with the IMO and moved from Ottawa to London – a move that not only broadened his own future, but also that of his family, who came with him.From 1978 to 1989 he served as Senior Deputy Director of the Maritime Safety Division of IMO, with responsibility for navigation and related matters, subsequently being appointed as Director of the Division in 1989. He was elected into Fellowship of the Royal Institute of Navigation and awarded the Institute’s gold medal for 1991. In 1992 he was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Nautical Institute before retiring from IMO. On returning to Ottawa, he conducted an extensive survey of the maritime and environmental safety management and practices of government subsidized ferry services on the east coast of Canada with the assistance of Canadian Coast Guard and company personnel. In 1993, the urgent need for early revision of the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STWC) led to the establishment of a small group of consultants to accelerate the work by preparing revised texts under the direction of the Sub-Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping. Captain Morrison acted as Consultant Coordinator throughout the development and adoption of the revised Convention, and subsequently was responsible for the technical aspects of ten IMO seminars and workshops held in various parts of the world to explain the intent and purpose of its provisions and to ensure its uniform interpretation and application. In 1997, his various contributions to the promotion of Canadian Marine Safety were recognized through the presentation of the Transport Canada Safety Award. His family will remember him as a loving and generous husband, father and grandfather. He was at all times a gentleman.A private service will be held at a later date, when family and close friends are able to gather together. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dementia Society or to UNICEF.