- TAMPA, Fla.—Port Tampa Bay and the Tampa Port Ministries announced today that they will honor Richard Ghent, of The Mosaic Company, with the Captain James McKay Lifetime Achievement Award at the 15th Annual Anchor Ball on Saturday, October 8. The Anchor Ball is an annual charity event that supports Tampa Port Ministries and the Tampa Bay Maritime Scholarship Foundation and its Steinbrenner Memorial Maritime Scholarship. The International Propeller Club of the United States—Port of Tampa and Port of Tampa Maritime Industries Association (PTMIA) join these organizations in promoting the Anchor Ball and encourage community participation.

The Tampa Seafarers Center, operated by Tampa Port Ministries and staffed by dedicated volunteers, serves the crews of cargo and cruise ships that visit the port from all over the world, by meeting the physical, social and spiritual needs of seafarers, often of modest means, who spend weeks and months at sea, away from their homes and families.

The James McKay Lifetime Achievement Award is named in honor of the Scottish-born schooner Captain James McKay, traditionally acknowledged as a father of the Port, who in the mid-1800s began running ships between Tampa, Mobile and New Orleans, as well as shipping cattle to Cuba, and who went on to serve as mayor of Tampa. He was active in shipping and trading before, during and after the Civil War. The award is presented each year to a highly involved, long-time port industry leader. Mr. Ghent is a long-time phosphate industry executive who has contributed greatly to the success of his industry and to the port.

“Tampa Port Ministries and the Seafarers Center are excited for another great event in the 2016 Anchor Ball, where so many of our friends and members of the port community come together to support our efforts of providing vital services to the men and women that visit our port from around the world.  Without the support we receive from the port community, we would not be able to continue our mission of serving the varied needs of the seafarers.  We would also like to congratulate our friend Richard Ghent as this year’s recipient of the Captain James McKay Port Achievement Award.  He is truly deserving of this award in recognition of his long time contributions in many areas of life here at Port Tampa Bay,” Steve Finnesy, chaplain, Tampa Port Ministries, said.

“Richard Ghent is a true friend and ambassador for our port, and he is very deserving of this prestigious award,” said Port Tampa Bay president and CEO Paul Anderson. “Richard’s leadership and commitment to the vitality of the port and to many initiatives in one of our core industries, over many years, has meant so much to the port, to the phosphate industry and to those whose lives have been touched by this great man.”

In addition to supporting the work of the Tampa Seafarers Center, the Anchor Ball will also provide financial support toward a maritime scholarship program in George Steinbrenner’s name, for graduates of the Hillsborough County Schools’ high school maritime studies program, created by the local Propeller Club chapter. For tickets, sponsorship and general information about the Anchor Ball, visit www.AnchorBall.org.

About the Anchor Ball:

WHAT: Annual Port Tampa Bay Anchor Ball charity event and silent auction, supporting the International Seafarers’ Center; maritime scholarship program fund in conjunction with Hillsborough County Schools; presentation of prestigious Captain James McKay Award to cruise partner Holland America Line.

WHEN: Saturday, October 8, 2015, 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Port Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal 3, @ 815 Channelside Drive, Tampa

WHO: Port community, business community, supporters