Gdynia Maritime University GMU

On 16 June 2024, the 20th Ceremony at the Polish Avenue for the Distinguished People of Sea was held in Rewa. The event was attended by HM The Rector, Professor Adam Weintrit.

The main ceremony involved the unveiling of a memorial tablet "In grateful memory of the Polish Navy and the Polish Merchant Navy Servicemen who took part in the first allied landing in Europe on 6 June 1944" and the launch of a book by Professor Daniel Duda entitled "The Role of the Merchant Navy in the Invasion of Europe on 6 June 1944".

The title "Distinguished Person of the Sea" was given to:

• Captain Gustaw Krol Kański – sought the establishment of the Maritime School in Tczew, where from 1920 he held the role of inspector and gave classes on pilotage, seamanship training, and shipping records. He is the author of the work "Opisowy kurs Locji" [Descriptive Pilotage Course] The Captain was highly regarded by the authorities of the Maritime School in Tczew and was awarded many distinctions, including: The Gold Cross of Merit, the Norwegian Cross of the Order of St Olaf, the French "Great War" Medal, the Latvian "Order of the Three Stars", and the Swedish Cross of the Royal Order of Vasa. 
• Stanisław Ludwig - a sailor, scout, teacher, outstanding editor, and publisher of maritime literature. During his education, he participated in ten voyages; as an assistant, a first, second and third-officer, and a flag officer for General Mariusz Zaruski. He co-edited the periodical "Żeglarz" [Sailor] and was a member of the Maritime and Colonial League. He was also involved in other publications, including "Oceanologia" [Oceanology], "Studia i Materiały oceanologiczne" [Oceanology Studies and Materials], and later "Nautologia" [Nautical Science], and the works of "Libri Martimi". He held the post of curator at the Central Maritime Museum in Gdańsk. He was granted several awards, including The Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Resituta, The Warsaw Uprising Cross, and The Cross of the Maritime and River League.
• Fleet Admiral Ryszard Łukasik - connected with the Polish Navy in Gdynia his whole life. During the year 1996 to 2023, at the rank of Admiral, he was the general commander of the Polish Navy. He lectured at the Polish Maritime Academy as a visiting lecturer. A keen proponent of Poland's membership of NATO and the adaptation of the Polish Navy to the requirements of the North Atlantic Treaty.

The ceremony was attended by the GMU Guard of Honour. Following the traditional laying of flowers at the foot of the Maritime Cross, the ceremony was brought to a close with performances of the "Hymn to the Baltic", the "Theme of the Polish Army", and "We, the First Brigade of the Legion", followed by the retreat of the Military Honorary Guard.