News

2017 was another busy year for the NWA – and its Secretary! – as we continued to push forward with important initiatives in the areas of training and vessel safety, while grappling with a number of legislative and regulatory issues affecting our membership.   Membership Boost   As we continue to grow as an organisation, […]

The G+ has now released the revised 2nd edition of its Good practice guideline: the safe management of small service vessels used in the offshore wind industry. The publication has been made available for download via the Energy Institute website.   The updated guidance, which was reviewed at our Offshore Wind Safety Forum in Lowestoft […]

Southampton, 8th January 2018 – Norman Finlay, a highly respected marine surveyor and the founder of the National Workboat Association (NWA), has been awarded an MBE for ‘Services to UK Shipping’. Following the Lifetime Achievement award presented to Mr Finlay at Seawork in 2013, this MBE is further recognition of the dedication and commitment he […]

We’re looking forward to welcoming you all to the combined Annual Dinner, AGM and Safety Forum, taking place on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th January at the Lakeside Hotel, Windermere.   The order of proceedings for the two-day event will be as follows:   Thursday 18th   11am – 1pm – Committee Meeting 2-5pm – […]

Following on from the Members Survey earlier this year, we have been working on refining the ways in which we communicate with our members – and updating our newsletter has been a key element of this. To ensure that we’re providing a service that best meets your needs and interests, we’d like to give you […]

The RNLI have released a dramatic new video that provides a stark reminder for all crew members on the need to wear a lifejacket when there is a risk of falling into the water. Using a group of fishermen, they demonstrate the debilitating effects of cold water on persons entering the water without a lifejacket […]

In our final ‘Member Profile’ of 2017, we catch up with Dave McNaughtan, General Manager at Delta Marine, for his view on where opportunities lie for growth in the marine energy sector.   Tell us about Delta Marine. What is your background as a business, and in which core areas do you currently operate? Delta […]

After months of wrangling with officialdom we have finally had the Workboat Crewmember apprenticeship standard for England approved and published on the Institute for Apprenticeships website. The NWA Training/Trailblazer group are now working hard to get the 'End Point Assessment' detail and, crucially, the government funding agreed in the New Year, before this pathway can […]

Having got the Scottish version of the Workboat Apprenticeship approved some time ago, we are delighted to announce that Stream Marine Training Ltd (SMT) are well advanced in their preparations to offer the Modern Workboat Apprenticeship for Scottish-based operators, starting in Q2 2018.   Operators are reminded that there is significant funding on offer from […]

We talk to Gareth Escreet, Director at SMS Towage, about the growth and development of this family-run business in the harbour towage space, the launch of its latest vessel, and how the firm’s specialism continues to create opportunities for expansion throughout the UK.   Could you tell us a bit about SMS Towage and your […]

NWA members have been invited by Shipowners P&I Club to participate in a short online survey to inform a study on the effects of bridge equipment alarms on watch keepers.   The details of the survey are as follows:   “We are conducting a survey, in conjunction with Royal Holloway, University of London, to research […]

The MCA has announced a series of dates in 2018 for its Renewables Offshore Search and Rescue (SAR) Management courses.   Courses will be taking place on the following dates at a range of locations across the UK, as below:   OSARM R3   Feb 6/7         Humber Coastguard Operations Centre (Bridlington) OSARM R4   Apr 17/18      Holyhead […]