Seafarers’ Association of Odisha (SAO), a first of its kind initiative and common deck for entire marine community of the state of Odisha felicitated Captain Ashok Mahapatra, Director, International Maritime Organization (IMO) in an event held at Bhubaneswar on 6th August 2016 for his inspiring role in representing the glorious maritime history of India at many International levels. Captain Mahapatra graced the event as Guest of Honour.
Among others, Capt. Navin Sarma Hon. President of the SAO presided over the function and Dr. Purnendu Misra, Advisor of SAO addressed the august gathering. Speaking at this occasion Capt. Alok Patra, General Secretary of SAO thanked Capt. Mahapatra and all mariners and their families who gathered to show solidarity towards the purpose of this kind of Association and for bringing the state of Odisha and its marine diasporas to the forefront of Indian maritime sector.
It may be noted here that, Captain Ashok Mahapatra was the Deputy Nautical Advisor at the Ministry of Shipping, Govt. of India before taking up the assignment at IMO as the Director of Marine Safety Division. He represents India at International level & brings glory to the marine community of Odisha while holding the coveted position at the IMO by being the first Indian and Odia to reach such a level.
Born in the southern town of Berhampur on 7th Nov 1955, Captain Ashok Mahapatra completed his high school from Stewart school Bhubaneswar and has permanent residence in Bhubaneswar. He started his sea career voyage as a deck cadet in 1973 with Scindia Steam Ship Navigation Company and took over command of a ship as a foreign going Master in the year 1982 with South Indian Shipping Corporation until 1986.
He started his career ashore as Nautical Surveyor in 1986 at Directorate General of Shipping, Govt. of India. In 1994 he was promoted as deputy nautical adviser to the Govt. of India. In 1998 he joined IMO’s STCW and Human Element Section as technical officer. In 2003 he took over as the head of Maritime training & human element section in the Maritime Safety Division at IMO, rising to the position of senior deputy director sub-division for operational safety and human element in the division in Jan-2012.
Capt. Ashok Mahapatra has been the Director, Maritime Safety Division at IMO since October 2015.