News

We recently took a stand as part of the IMCA pavillion at the European Wind Energy Association exhibition in Copenhagen last month. This gave us the opportunity to gauge levels of interest in the NWA, particularly from European workboat operators. There was considerable interest from several European operators as well as visits from numerous UK […]

After months of drafting and discussion we have virtually reached agreement with the MCA on the text of the revised Workboat code. – There are still some contentious areas which we will have chance to comment and amend before the final version is published, particularly with reference to Towing and the Carriage of Dangerous Goods. […]

Leask Marine Limited from Orkney, Newhaven Port Authority and Wyre Maine Services based in Fleetwood are the latest operators to join the National Workboat Association, bringing another 9 coded vessels within our membership. 2014-02-04 09:00:00.0

The NWA was one on several bodies asked to comment on the Government's approach to regulating the Windfarm service vessel industry, and in particular our role in the process. The full response can be viewed in the Members Secure Area of the Web Site 2014-02-04 09:00:00.0

Yvonne was concerned at the negative light in which the offshore windfarm vessel operators were portrayed at this conference. Please go to the Members secure area of the web site to see her report. 2014-02-04 09:00:00.0

The MCA has now published the following two Marine Guidance Notes;- MGN 490 – MLC Requirements for vessels less than 200gt, and MGN 491 – MLC requirements for vessels more than 200gt but less than 500gt ​Please follow this link to the MCA web site – http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mlc   – to view and download these M notices. 2013-08-19 09:00:00.0

A specialised time charter party designed for the offshore wind farm sector and based on the SUPPLYTIME form has been published and is available for use now. WINDTIME is designed for the small high speed craft used to transport technicians to and from offshore wind farm sites. Up until now the wind farm sector has […]

Norman Finlay Wins Lifetime Achievement Award at Seawork All members will be delighted to learn that Norman Finlay was presented with a special Lifetime Achievement award at the Mercator Media awards at Seawork this week.  Norman got by far the biggest round of applause all evening when his award was announced, supported by a good […]

The MCA have just confirmed that the long awaited Master (Workboat) < 500gt unlimited STCW Certificate of Competency will be published during Seawork. This CoC has been drawn up after long consultation between the MCA and the NWA and will now give us the potential for this CoC holder to command a Workboat up to […]

We have been working with web site designers ‘BlueBox Creative’ to create this new website, which will have much more  input both from the Secretary and Members and will be updated on a more frequent basis. There will be both NWA and Members’ News sections as well as tabs for site visitors to find out […]

The Maritime Skills Alliance of which the NWA is a member has just won the prestigious ‘Investment in People’ award at the Seatrade annual award ceremony in London for its suite of Maritime Apprenticeship schemes. The Workboat Apprenticeship scheme which has just been finalised and authorised by the Scottish Qualifications Authority is one of 6 […]

At Last! – After years of work with the MCA Seafarers Standards branch MGN 468 has finally been published.  This notice defines the criteria and requirements for a series of 3 Towage Endorsements and names the NWA as the only recognised body able to issue these on behalf of the MCA.  The NWA has authorised […]