The late Mr Andrew Leachman, of Nelson, NZAM, for services to New Zealand's Antarctic maritime capabilities and scientific research, received by Vivienne Leachman
The late Andrew Leachman was a Master Mariner with more than 55 years of seagoing experience and has been regarded as one of New Zealand’s most experienced and respected Antarctic navigators. Mr Leachman was one of two Masters of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (Fisheries Research Division) vessel James Cook from 1973 until 1991 and then Master of the National institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) vessel Tangaroa from 1995 until 2010. His time in command of these two vessels saw him operate extensively around New Zealand and in the Antarctic waters of the Southern Ocean in support of significant national and international marine research programmes. He had input into the design of Tangaroa and from 2000 to 2010 he commanded the vessel on all eight of NIWA’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean marine research expeditions, which facilitated the completion of extensive and ground-breaking biodiversity and habitat research and hydrographic and seismic surveys. He developed an in-depth knowledge of operating an ice-strengthened vessel in the challenging conditions of the ice-covered Antarctic waters of the Southern Ocean. During these voyages he trained and mentored his crew to ensure NIWA would retain its Antarctic patrol and research capability after his retirement. He joined the New Zealand Defence Force as an ice navigation consultant in 2011. He applied his knowledge to help the Royal New Zealand Navy establish and sustain its new Antarctic maritime patrol and response capability. Mr Leachman coached and mentored Offshore Patrol Vessel command teams through seven successive Southern Ocean patrols, helping to bridge a Southern Ocean knowledge gap within the Navy. The RNZN as a result is now safely and successfully providing New Zealand with a physical maritime presence in the Ross Sea and an improved ability to meet its strategically important international Antarctic resource protection and maritime security responsibilities.