Officer Wins Award After HMS Prince of Wales Near Miss 2026

Key Points

• Lieutenant David Hardiman of the Royal Navy has been given the Lady Swaythling Trophy for seamanship excellence.
• Hardiman played an important role in averting a potential collision between the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and the ferry GNV Sirio.
• This happened in the Tyrrhenian Sea in Italy in Operation Highmast on 19 November 2025.
• GNV Sirio abruptly changed course in the direction of the aircraft carrier while traveling at high speed.
• The ferry came within 400 yards or 365 meters from the aircraft carrier.
• David Hardiman was serving as the Officer of the Watch on the carrier.
• He commanded the aircraft carrier to starboard to increase the distance and decrease speed with astern power.
• The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society awarded the trophy during their annual Skill and Gallantry Awards.
• Captain Justin Osmond RN commended Lieutenant Hardiman for his cool-headedness and professionalism.

Wales (Wales Times) October 08, 2026 – Royal Navy officer Lieutenant David Hardiman has been honoured after his actions helped avert a potentially serious collision between aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and the passenger ferry GNV Sirio in the Mediterranean.

The award follows a near miss during Operation Highmast in November 2025, when the ferry unexpectedly changed course towards the Royal Navy carrier. According to Aaron Spray of ADS Advance, the vessel passed only about 400 yards, or 365 metres, ahead of HMS Prince of Wales.

Lieutenant Hardiman received the Lady Swaythling Trophy for outstanding seamanship from the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, a UK maritime charity that supports seafarers and their families. The presentation took place during the organisation’s annual Skill and Gallantry Awards.

The recognition focused on Lieutenant Hardiman’s handling of the developing danger while he was responsible for the safe navigation of the 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier. Reporting cited by ADS Advance described his conduct as an example of outstanding seamanship under pressure.

What happened between HMS Prince of Wales and GNV Sirio?

The incident occurred in the early hours of 19 November 2025, at approximately 2.30am, while the UK Carrier Strike Group was operating in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of Italy.

The carrier group was approaching the end of a seven-month world tour under Operation Highmast. HMS Prince of Wales had more than 1,600 personnel embarked and was preparing to receive Italian F-35 aircraft.

At the time, the Royal Navy had assembled a record 24 F-35B Lightning aircraft on the carrier. The operation therefore involved a large aircraft carrier, a substantial crew and a significant number of military aircraft operating in an active maritime environment.

As part of the carrier’s operational activity, HMS Prince of Wales was not transmitting on the Automatic Identification System, commonly known as AIS. The system is used by ships to exchange information such as their identity, position, course and speed. The carrier’s position was nevertheless monitored through radar.

According to the report by Aaron Spray in ADS Advance, GNV Sirio was detected on radar at a distance of approximately 15 nautical miles. Initial assessment indicated that the ferry would pass at a safe distance from the carrier.

That assessment changed when GNV Sirio unexpectedly altered course towards HMS Prince of Wales. The ferry was also approaching at high speed, increasing the potential risk to both vessels.

What action did Lieutenant David Hardiman take?

Lieutenant Hardiman was serving as the Officer of the Watch, or OOW, on HMS Prince of Wales. The Officer of the Watch is responsible for monitoring the ship’s navigation and taking appropriate action when a developing situation presents a risk.

As the ferry’s course brought it closer to the carrier, Lieutenant Hardiman ordered HMS Prince of Wales to turn to starboard. He also instructed the carrier to increase the distance between the two vessels.

The situation continued to develop, so Lieutenant Hardiman called the ship’s Navigator to the bridge. He then ordered astern power to reduce the carrier’s speed.

The manoeuvres were carried out while the carrier was preparing for the possibility that the situation could deteriorate further. HMS Prince of Wales is approximately 310 yards, or 284 metres, long. The distance between the two vessels as GNV Sirio passed was about 400 yards.

The ferry eventually crossed ahead of the carrier without a collision. While the vessels did not make contact, the relatively short passing distance meant that the incident carried a potentially serious navigational risk.

Why did Lieutenant Hardiman receive the Lady Swaythling Trophy?

The Lady Swaythling Trophy is presented for outstanding seamanship. The award is administered by the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, which recognises acts of skill, courage and professionalism involving people working at sea.

According to ADS Advance’s report, Lieutenant Hardiman was recognised for his calm judgement and decisive action during the near miss. His role required him to assess the ferry’s movement, make timely navigation decisions and coordinate the carrier’s response.

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society’s chief executive, Captain Justin Osmond RN, said Lieutenant Hardiman had shown “exceptional composure, judgement and professionalism” during a moment of significant danger.

That assessment was also reflected in the description of the incident attributed to Portsmouth News. The report said Lieutenant Hardiman’s quick thinking helped prevent a serious collision and that his seamanship was recognised through the charity’s annual awards.

The award does not indicate that a collision took place. Instead, it recognises the decisions made to prevent one after the ferry changed course towards the carrier.

How close did the ferry come to HMS Prince of Wales?

GNV Sirio passed approximately 400 yards ahead of HMS Prince of Wales. The distance is equivalent to around 365 metres.

For comparison, HMS Prince of Wales itself measures approximately 310 yards, or 284 metres, in length. This means the distance between the vessels was only around 90 yards greater than the carrier’s overall length.

The figures underline the importance of the navigation decisions made on the bridge. The carrier was a much larger and heavier vessel, while the ferry was moving towards it at speed. Reducing the risk required coordinated action, including a change of course and a reduction in speed.

The available report does not provide further detail about the ferry’s reasons for changing course or whether any action was taken by its crew after the incident. It states that GNV Sirio unexpectedly altered course towards HMS Prince of Wales before passing ahead of the carrier.

What was HMS Prince of Wales doing in the Tyrrhenian Sea?

HMS Prince of Wales was leading the UK Carrier Strike Group during Operation Highmast. The carrier group was completing a seven-month world tour when the incident occurred.

The carrier had more than 1,600 personnel on board and was preparing to embark Italian F-35 aircraft. The Royal Navy had also assembled 24 F-35Bs on the carrier, described in the report as a record number.

The operation placed HMS Prince of Wales in an area used by both military and commercial shipping. The Tyrrhenian Sea includes busy maritime routes around Italy and is used by passenger ferries, cargo vessels, naval ships and other commercial traffic.

The incident therefore occurred within a wider operational setting rather than during a formal collision exercise. The carrier was conducting its deployment while maintaining safe navigation around civilian shipping.

What did the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society say?

Captain Justin Osmond RN, chief executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, praised Lieutenant Hardiman’s response.

As reported by ADS Advance, Captain Osmond said the officer demonstrated “exceptional composure, judgement and professionalism” during a dangerous situation. The statement highlighted the importance of remaining calm while assessing a rapidly changing maritime risk.

The charity’s awards recognise the practical skills required by people working at sea. In this case, the award focused on navigation, decision-making and the ability to respond quickly when another vessel’s course changes unexpectedly.

The organisation supports seafarers and their families across the United Kingdom. Its recognition of Lieutenant Hardiman placed the incident within a wider tradition of acknowledging professional conduct at sea.

Why are navigation decisions important on an aircraft carrier?

Aircraft carriers are large vessels with considerable momentum. Their size and weight mean that changes in direction or speed may require time and careful coordination.

HMS Prince of Wales is approximately 65,000 tonnes and 284 metres long, according to the details published by ADS Advance. Its bridge team must consider the carrier’s speed, turning ability, surrounding traffic and operational requirements before taking action.

The Officer of the Watch must also make decisions based on available information. In this case, the carrier initially assessed that GNV Sirio would pass safely. When the ferry changed course, the assessment had to be revised quickly.

The response included a starboard turn, an instruction to increase separation, the involvement of the Navigator and the use of astern power. These actions were intended to create more distance and reduce the likelihood of contact.

The incident demonstrates why bridge teams on large ships monitor radar and other navigational information continuously, particularly when operating near passenger ferries and other commercial vessels.

What does the award mean for Royal Navy personnel?

The award recognises the professional actions of one officer, but it also reflects the importance of teamwork aboard HMS Prince of Wales.

Lieutenant Hardiman made the navigation decisions as Officer of the Watch, while the carrier’s bridge team carried out the orders. Safe navigation depends on communication between officers, the Navigator and other personnel responsible for the movement of the vessel.

The available report does not identify every member of the bridge team involved in the response. It does, however, state that Lieutenant Hardiman ordered the ship to turn, called the Navigator to the bridge and directed astern power to reduce speed.

The award places particular emphasis on his judgement and composure. It does not suggest that he acted alone or that other personnel played no role in preventing the near miss.

What is the background to the Lady Swaythling Trophy?

The Lady Swaythling Trophy is associated with the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society’s recognition of outstanding seamanship. It is presented as part of the charity’s annual Skill and Gallantry Awards.

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society is a UK maritime charity supporting seafarers and their families. Its work includes recognising the skills and courage required in maritime employment.

Lieutenant Hardiman’s award followed an incident during the UK Carrier Strike Group’s Operation Highmast deployment. The group had been travelling for seven months and was operating in the Mediterranean when GNV Sirio altered course towards HMS Prince of Wales.

The carrier was carrying more than 1,600 personnel and preparing to embark Italian F-35 aircraft. It was also operating with 24 F-35Bs on board, according to the ADS Advance report.

The background to the award is therefore linked to both the demanding nature of aircraft-carrier navigation and the broader operational responsibilities of the Royal Navy during an overseas deployment.

How could this development affect maritime personnel and passengers?

The award could draw wider attention to the importance of bridge-team training, radar monitoring and quick decision-making in busy shipping areas. For Royal Navy personnel, it reinforces the value placed on calm and professional action when military vessels operate near civilian traffic.

For ferry passengers and commercial seafarers, the incident highlights the fact that changes in course can create risks even when vessels initially appear to be on safe passing routes. A vessel’s intended path can change quickly, making continued monitoring essential.

The development is unlikely to change passenger services directly because the reported incident took place in November 2025 and the award was made afterwards. Its main effect is more likely to be on professional recognition, maritime safety discussions and public understanding of the responsibilities carried by naval bridge teams.

The available reporting does not establish any new safety rule or operational change resulting from the near miss. It records that Lieutenant Hardiman’s actions helped prevent contact and that the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society recognised his conduct with the Lady Swaythling Trophy.