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Pictured: Striking shipwreck wins top prize in maritime photography competition

Justin Minns - Justin Minns
Justin Minns - Justin Minns

The Shipwrecked Mariners' Society has announced the winners of its tenth annual photography competition, which showcase the UK's relationship with the sea in vivid clarity.

This year's overall prize was awarded to Justin Minns for his entry 'The Old Oyster Beds', an aerial photograph taken in Brightlingsea, Essex. The image won Mr Minns £500 for photographic equipment.

Andrew Hocking - Andrew Hocking
Andrew Hocking - Andrew Hocking
Jason Thompson - Jason Thompson
Jason Thompson - Jason Thompson

Other winners were announced in four categories, including;

  • Andrew Hocking's 'Unicorn', taken in Godrevy, Cornwall, which won the Coastal Views category;

  • Jason Thompson's 'My Playground', taken on Skegness beach, which won the People and Recreation category;

  • Jonathan Killick's 'Wind Turbines', taken in Lincolnshire, which won the Industry category;

  • Justin Minns' 'Scattered', taken at the Thames Estuary in Essex, which won the Ships and Wrecks category.

The Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, which provides financial support to former seafarers, encouraged photographers to submit pictures that captured the essence of the UK’s connection with the sea.

Justin Minns - Justin Minns
Justin Minns - Justin Minns
Jonathan Killick - Jonathan Killick
Jonathan Killick - Jonathan Killick

Captain Justin Osmond, the chief executive of the society, said: "As we are now in the tenth year of the photography competition it is amazing to see the nation still enjoying our coastlines and supporting our maritime industry with a passion. To receive the same fantastic standard of images as when we first launched the competition a decade ago is brilliant to see.

"Our seafaring community continues to face significant challenges every year despite the outstanding contribution it makes to our lives, so it is important that we are able to use the competition as a platform to acknowledge and celebrate our maritime industry and ensure that those working within it have access to vital support.

"We thought that Justin Minns’ winning image, 'The Old Oyster Beds', really encapsulated the beauty in Britain’s coastlines, an area of the fishing industry which can often feel neglected, but was particularly striking with the shipwreck’s presence alongside the oyster beds.

"As always, on behalf of the Society, I would like to say a massive thank you to all of those who entered this year and hopefully we will see you back again in 2023!"