The vessel is named for Radio Operator Laurence H. Gianella (shown at left) who was posthumously awarded the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal in 1943 for the heroic action he undertook when his ship was torpedoed on 19th December, 1941 in mid-Pacific. Orders had been given to abandon the rapidly sinking ship but Gianella realising that his shipmates chances of rescue were slim and dependant on him getting out a SOS message stayed on board and rigged an emergency radio set thus sacrificing himself for his shipmates.

The ship's name was incorrectly spelt as Lawrence at its launch in 1986 and has never been corrected.   Photo and details kindly supplied by the Gianella family.