About The Association

The Workboat Association is the trade, skills and safety standards association for the workboat industry.

Since its inception in 1994, the association has acted as a crucial point of liaison between its membership and key regulatory and industry bodies, such as the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and international Port States. It has also driven the creation of safety, technical and best practice training standards, provided a unifying platform for industry lobbying and debate, and delivered industry-recognised training and certification opportunities.

Core achievements include the introduction and subsequent revision of the MCA Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Small Workboats – the “Workboat Code” and, the formation and development of the multi-national Maritime Apprenticeship Schemes – with syllabuses available covering all duties on board commercial vessels under 500GT.

The Workboat Association has a membership base of close to 300 UK and European workboat owners, operators, stakeholders and professionals, collectively representing around 2000 operational vessels and approximately 8000 directly employed personnel.

“Supporting you to start your first day within the industry, to operating a successful global business.”