Randal Lanigan O'Keeffe, who was a Deck Cadet on ILT Granuaile up to 2nd January 1995, was one of three cadets to win a Safety at Sea Awareness Award in a competition sponsored by NUMAST (the trade union for Merchant Navy and Airline Officers) and organised by the General Council of British Shipping.

All three winners are students at the Department of Nautical Studies, Cork Regional Technical College.

Randal was awarded Third Prize for his project - the design of a 'user-friendly' lifebuoy. The judging panel said they were impressed by the number of entries received, which were of a very high standard, making the selection of a winner a difficult task. The awards were presented by UK Shipping Minister, The Viscount Goschen. The Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation, William O'Neil, with representatives of NUMAST and the British Chamber of Shipping, were at the award ceremony.

The winner of the competition was Colm Ryan, a cadet with Mobil Shipping, and Second Prize went to Anthony Mulcahy who was with Arklow Shipping. The competition was open to students at recognised marine colleges in the UK and Republic of Ireland.