Captain Atkinson will receive the award from the Japanese Consulate General on 28 November 2007 for his work in assisting the Japanese Antarctic research vessel Shirase for the past 25 years. The award coincides with the final voyage of Shirase to the Antarctic this summer.

“I have been at Fremantle Ports for the whole of Shirase’s service as an ice-breaker carrying scientists to and from Antarctica as part of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition,” Captain Atkinson said.

“I’ve worked closely with them on their arrivals and departures, and with security. With a journey so far from civilisation, we had to ensure they had everything they needed before their hazardous annual voyage to the Southern Ocean, carrying up to 300 scientists each year.

“The award is a great honour which I am delighted to accept on behalf of everyone at Fremantle Ports who has worked with the Shirase’s officers and crew over the past 25 years.

“I believe we have cemented a strong relationship over that time and it has been a pleasure to work with them. I hope to establish a similar, warm relationship with any future research vessels.”

Captain Atkinson, who was born in Banff, Scotland, served in the Far East as a ship’s officer with the Ocean Fleet out of Liverpool from 1962 to 1972, after which he was Master of an oil-rig supply ship in the Bass Strait and Master of a ship that laid the first flexible oil pipeline from a fixed platform in the Bass Strait.

He has been with Fremantle Ports since 1979, going from Pilot to Chief Pilot, deputy Harbour Master and finally Harbour Master in 1988.

The Order of the Rising Sun is one of the highest Japanese awards that can be bestowed on foreign nationals.  The award citation reads, in part: “Captain Atkinson has facilitated the calls of the Japanese Icebreaker Shirase to support Antarctic exploration into the harbour with exceptional skill and attention. He has established a strong friendship with the crews of Japanese vessels. His warm and professional service repeatedly appear in the crews reports which document special appreciation for the convenience provided by Captain Atkinson.”