British Marine enjoys successful time at Seawork International 2018

British Marine and its group association, Commercial Marine, enjoyed an excellent three days at Seawork International 2018, sponsoring the Innovation Showcase, launching its latest report on the Small Commercial Marine Market in the UK and meeting with a host of member companies, exhibitors and visitors to Europe’s largest commercial workboat event.

On the Tuesday, British Marine’s Head of Member Relations, Hayley James-Harris, was involved in the opening ceremony for the exhibition, which was led by the Maritime Minister, Nusrat Ghani MP. Later on, British Marine’s Training Manager and Training Executive, Blue Davies and Chris Holmes, joined other members of the UK commercial marine industry at a Seawork Conference event to promote the benefits of apprenticeships to the sector. British Marine is working with a number of employer groups to develop new trailblazer apprenticeships to help meet the sector’s growing skills needs.

British Marine members also tasted success on Tuesday evening, at the 2018 European Commercial Marine Awards, where the winners were announced at a packed ceremony.

The evening, sponsored by British Marine member, A-Plan Insurance, began with the announcement of the Innovation Showcase (sponsored by British Marine) award winners including the overall ‘Spirit of Innovation’ Award which British Marine’s Hayley James-Harris presented to British Marine member, Landau UK. The judges were impressed by Landau’s ‘Lifecord’ which is the only ‘smart’ kill cord incorporating detection technology, designed to trigger audible and visual warning alarm should the ‘Lifecord’ not be connected to the pilot.

British Marine member, EP Barrus, was awarded the ‘Marine Equipment, Electronics and Materials category for the Capsize PIRS® patented system for four stroke engines.

The ECM Marine Sustainability award, presented by Malcolm Stewart, Managing Director, A-Plan, was awarded to British Marine member, Torqeedo, for the ECOCAT Zero-Emission Solar-Electric Passenger Ferry.

ECMA 2018 Award Winners

Wednesday proved an even busier day. British Marine published the latest research into the Small Commercial Marine Market in the UK. This interesting and insightful study report provides useful information to businesses and stakeholders involved in the sector. The report will help direct British Marine’s support and representation of the sector and its members operating in it.

Later that morning, Commercial Marine, the group association within British Marine which supports and represents members operating in the small commercial marine industry, held its General Meeting and elected its new Chairman, Alastair Clayton, MD, Seaglaze Marine Windows. At the same time, the Association said a heartfelt thank you to outgoing Chairman, Alan Goodchild, MD, Goodchild Marine.

And on Wednesday afternoon, British Marine held its ever-popular Reception, welcoming members, exhibitors and visitors to the stand for a well-earned cool beverage. The Reception was kindly sponsored by British Marine Boat Shows, and Carol Taylor and Loretta Westoll-Green were on-hand to talk about the fantastic exhibition and sponsorship opportunities at the 50th anniversary of TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show 2018. British Marine’s Chief Officer for Membership & Services, Sarah Dhanda, welcomed guests and said a few words about British Marine’s commitment to the small commercial sector, evidenced by the latest report. And new Commercial Marine Chairman, Alastair Clayton, gave a brief update on his committee’s plans for the forthcoming year and encouraged members to get engaged with British Marine’s work, to ensure that industry’s voice is truly represented.

British Marine would like to thank all the member companies, exhibitors and visitors who stopped by the stand across the three days and is looking forward to another productive year, growing its support for members operating in the UK’s small commercial marine industry.