News

After two weeks of waiting for the BG Verkehr to respond to Roger Towner’s last proposal, we have now had two unwelcome developments: We understand the BG Verkehr are requesting more detail – which sounds suspiciously like a delaying tactic We have learned that Roger Towner has recently been suspended from his role at the […]

The National Workboat Association (NWA) would like to thank everyone who attended our first Offshore Wind-specific Safety Forum on 6th September, at the Orbis Centre, Lowestoft.   The forum provided a round table discussion for crew transfer vessel operators and managers, and wind farm operators, to address common issues challenges in the safe operation of […]

In the first of a series of regular ‘member profiles’, we talk to Kerrie Forster of Acta Marine, Chairman of the NWA Safety Forum and a Member of the Committee. Kerrie gives us an insight into recent news at Acta, his view on the state of the market, and a perspective on discussions at the […]

Lowestoft, 31st August 2017 – Managing the working and rest hours of crews whilst ensuring the successful completion of technician transfers continues to pose a significant challenge in the safe operation of offshore wind Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs). This is according to the National Workboat Association (NWA), the trade, skills and safety standards association for the […]

Roger Towner, Head of the MCA Seafarer Standards branch recently met section heads and a lawyer from the BG Verkehr in Hamburg. Whilst the BG Verkehr are currently still refusing to accept the UK <200GT Master Code Vessel and <500GT Master Workboat CoCs, issued under article IX of STCW, they did reach a verbal agreement […]

The next NWA Safety Forum will be held at the Orbis Centre, Lowestoft, on 6th September at 10am.  This offshore wind-focused forum will look to involve all stakeholders in the offshore wind supply chain, with representatives from a selection of our members’ wind clients, shore managers and CTV Masters.  Two items to focus on will […]

This month, the NWA launched its LinkedIn profile, with the creation of both a public NWA LinkedIn Page and a members-only NWA LinkedIn Group. This presence on LinkedIn will create two new channels of communication for our members.  The NWA LinkedIn Page will be publicly available, and used to share updates on the NWA’s activity […]

This month, the G+ released a consultation draft of the 2nd edition of their version of the Good Practice Guidelines: “The safe management of small service vessels used in the offshore wind industry”. The consultation period is open now and runs until 9th September 2017.  As we know, this publication has become the offshore wind […]

The National Workboat Association (NWA) would like to thank everyone who attended our most recent Safety Forum, Towage: Reducing the Risks – Raising the Standards, on the 16th June at Seawork 2017.   The forum drew on the expertise of workboat operators and safety specialists for an examination of the causes of prominent towage incidents, […]

As many of you will have seen, last month we sent out a questionnaire to all of our members, designed to measure your satisfaction with our activities, and establish your priorities as we continue to act on your behalf. With a response rate of just under 50%, results showed 80% of participants were satisfied with […]

The Maritime Skills Alliance (MSA) is reforming the current ‘Diploma in Maritime Studies: Boatmaster, Tidal Inland Waterways’ into 3 stages to make it more accessible for candidates. It also means that if desired a candidate can study stage 1&2 and achieve a recognisable deck qualification, even if he is not able to go on to […]

The MCA have finally got round to updating and revising the Loadline Regulations – as one of the basic pieces of marine legislation applying to almost all craft, you should be aware of these changes – and give your comments as they will affect your business going forward. This is a substantial piece of legislation […]