The long-cherished wish to honour the heroic endeavours of Chilean Navy Pilot Luis Pardo has finally been realised with the unveiling of a bust by the IMO Secretary-General Mr Kitack Lim, the Ambassador of Chile and Permanent Representative to the IMO H.E. David Gallagher on the 23rd of November 2021
Piloto Pardo rescued British explorer Ernest Shackelton and his crew after they were stranded for months on Elephant Island in the harsh weather conditions during their Antarctic expedition.
Since then, the Chilean Maritime Authority has consistently and wholeheartedly contributed to the safety and sustainability of our oceans, in the service of the international maritime community.
The bust was sculpted by RSA fellow Shawn Williamson by hand in Portland stone supported by a hand-lettered block of local Burlington slate provided by Gordon Greaves.
A self-confessed born traveller, Shawn Williamson travelled the high seas with the Merchant Navy before becoming a sculptor. With many public commissions at home and abroad, Shawn Williamson first learned about Piloto Pardo and his role in the Shackelton expedition when working in Chiloé.
He began work on the bust of Piloto Pardo after obtaining a grant from the Anglo Chilean Society.
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