The Workboat Association

It's 'Feature Friday'... and you may recognise the two faces! Jifmar Group's Bert D. and Kerrie Forster of the The Workboat Association bumped into each other on the Willemskade in Rotterdam, preparing to go into the recent ‘Get Set for Workboat 2050’ conference. The buildings behind them featuring; the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal, the KPN HQ, the Port of Rotterdam HQ and the famous ‘De Rotterdam’ the largest building in the Netherlands.

The 2025 Edition of the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers (COSWP) has now been published. A comprehensive set of guidelines designed to ensure the health and safety of seafarers on merchant vessels, COSWP provides practical guidance on safe working practices and procedures to be followed on board ships to minimise risks and prevent accidents. Key updates include chapters on shipyard safety, standards for means of access, and safe movement on board ships during extreme weather conditions. It is a statutory requirement for the current edition of the code to be carried on board all UK ships, other than fishing vessels and pleasure craft. The code contains essential health and safety information, and it must be made available to any seafarer on board the ship who requests it. Purchase now: https://lnkd.in/eFZwjMCH #Maritime #MerchantNavy #HealthAndSafety

The March 2025 edition of the Workboat Association Newsletter is available to read! This month, we 'get to know' Jason Schofield from Green Marine (UK) Ltd. If you would like to feature in our 'Get to Know' segment or if you'd like to receive our Newsletter directly to your mailbox, email d.metcalfe@workboatassociation.org

Calling all Workboat Association Members - do you fancy a challenge? The Seafarers’ Charity are hosting their signature event, the 24 Peaks Challenge, from 5th to 6th July 2025! It's challenging yet fun, combining both your individual endurance and collaborative teamwork in support of their mission to improve seafarers’ lives. To find out more information or to register, follow the link: https://lnkd.in/e37X2aMK

It's 'Feature Friday' - a weekly series using content from WA Members! Green Marine (UK) Ltd is announcing a seven-figure capital investment in a new Subsea Services Department targeting the UK’s burgeoning offshore wind sector. Boosted by financial backing from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the expansion includes purchase of cutting-edge subsea technology from Rovtech (Seatronics Ltd), Sonardyne International Ltd, NORBIT Subsea, Voyis, Tritech International Limited, Digital Edge Subsea, EIVA a/s and a range of other sensors. The new department will provide in-house turnkey solutions and data. New services will include GVI (General Visual Inspection), 3D Survey incorporating real time SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) analysis, Marine Site Characterisation, Multibeam, O&M monitoring with a focus on subsea cables, pipelines & offshore structures. Green Marine estimates the ‘service addressable market’ for subsea O&M services across UK offshore wind to be worth in excess of £270million by 2030, guided by detailed studies produced by Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult – the UK’s leading technology innovation and research centre for offshore renewable energy. Read more:  https://lnkd.in/dmMHhM_6

Get Set for Workboat 2050 series 5, session 2 has begun! Kerrie Forster, Chief Executive Officer of The Workboat Association has kicked off the 1-day conference, taking place in Rotterdam. Experts from across the #commercialmarine industry will explore #decarbonising north sea operations, cutting-edge solutions accelerating innovation in the energy sector, future fuels and #portinfrastructure requirements and #zeroemisson workboats. So far, we have heard from keynote address Rob de Wit, Brigade General of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (RNLMC) and gold sponsor address Michel Radjiman, Sales Manager, Damen. Stay tuned on X (Twitter) for live updates from expert speakers: https://lnkd.in/efF3xg2b #Workboat2050

The Maritime Minister has revealed the Government’s new goals for all vessels that operate in UK waters and dock at UK ports to be carbon free and help vessel owners, operators and scientists make emission-free voyages a reality. Part of the Government’s Plan for Change to propel the UK towards becoming a green energy superpower and drive growth, the new Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy sets out goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030, 80% by 2040 and to zero by 2050. This will see the UK match the highest level of the ambitious goals agreed at the International Maritime Organization in their 2023 Strategy on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emission from Ships.    Read full press release here: https://lnkd.in/eNFeRPwS   Read the new strategy here: https://lnkd.in/eTVmfk36 The Workboat Association has a close link with the UK Government via it's representation at the Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom Maritime Advisory Group and our support of Maritime UK. #workboat #workboats #workboatassociation #muk #maritimeuk #dft #departmentfortransport #mikekanemp #maritime #decarbonisation

*Boat owning members - have you completed and returned your Safety Statistics? Please email them to g.bonner@workboatassociation.org if you have not yet done so.

It's 'feature Friday' - a weekly series using content from WA Members! Marine Plant Hire UK Ltd in the Isle of Scilly assisting TMS Ltd: Thanks to TMS Ltd for sending us this photo of their 34m x 10m barge ‘Seavoyager’ and Tug ‘Boojum Bay’ with a 3.9T Bollard Pull. Get in touch with their office on 01626 866066 for more information or availability!

Set Sail with St. Patrick’s Day Spirit! 🍀 This St. Patrick’s Day, we’re celebrating the rich maritime heritage of Ireland and its contributions of seafarers, fishermen, and other maritime professionals worldwide. From the Emerald Isle’s shores to the open seas, Irish tradition runs deep in the maritime industry. Whether you're working hard on the waves or enjoying some shore leave, we hope you have a happy St. Patrick’s Day! Of course we have to highlight Farra Marine Limited, who are a Dublin based company and have green vessels... #StPatricksDay #MaritimeHeritage