How to improve profitability and sustainability, MareNet event Thursday 21st January 2010

Venue : Botley Park Hotel, SO32 2UA

This event will explore three projects that between them provide substantial opportunities for improving your company’s profitability whilst reducing its environmental impact.

Every company will have differing requirements and, as each of the featured projects presents a broad offer, programmes can be tailored to individual requirements.


The event will take place on Thursday 21st January 2010 from 4.00 - 6.00pm at the Botley Park Hotel, Winchester Road, Boorley Green, Southampton SO32 2UA.

SMARTA (Sustainable Marine Transformation and Assessment)
Waste reduction, resource efficiency, improved product design and optimised production all lead to increased profitability. Marine South East is leading a project that can help deliver all of the above for marine companies. Through the project, your company could have access to 2 days manufacturing consultancy, 5 days environmental consultancy and 5 days design consultancy - all free of charge - as the project is jointly funded by SEEDA and the European Regional Development Fund through the South East ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13.

DIBS (Design and Innovation for Business Sustainability)
DIBS aims to encourage SMEs to introduce new and innovative products and services whilst ensuring they meet legislative requirements and the spirit of the sustainability agenda. The project will examine how effective and efficient a company is at using its own resources and what new technologies are available to improve its products and services.

DIBS provides free specific and general workshops on new technologies/processes /services/legislation, free one-to-one support totally focused on the company's development and growth needs, access to a network of experts across the regions and specific expertise where required.

EcoMind
The objectives of EcoMind are to help businesses take full advantage of the growing market for more environmentally sustainable products and services and to raise their awareness of what is available and how to access it so that they can become more sustainable.

The project will use design as the vehicle to assist businesses in developing new strategies and plans to get their eco innovations to market and to embed sustainability into the company's thinking and work.

The project partners will be on hand to offer guidance on their respective areas of expertise and to discuss options for tailored programmes of assistance for marine companies.

Speakers at the event will include:

- Marine South East - Lead partner, SMARTA
- Manufacturing Advisory Service - Production optimisation
- Olive Consultancy - Environmental consultancy
- Business Link - Designing Demand programme
- EcoMind
- DIBS

Registration for the event will begin at 3.30pm with the first presentation starting at 4.00pm. The event will conclude with a networking buffet at 6.00pm.

MareNet events are free to attend but please be courteous and give 48 hours notice of cancellation.

To register for this event please log onto http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/marenet or contact admin@marinesoutheast.co.uk or call 02380 111590

Posted 2009-12-15 10:30:25

South East excellence on show at this year’s Düsseldorf Boat Show, 23-31 January 2010

Venue: Dusseldorf, Germany

Later this month, South East marine companies will be exhibiting at 2010 Düsseldorf Boat Show, known as "boot Düsseldorf". A number of South East leisure marine companies will be exhibiting on the British Marine Federation stand in Hall 16, flying the flag for the UK marine industry.

Companies will either be present on the BMF stand or will have their own stand, showcasing an array of marine equipment and services. South East marine companies at the show this year include: Winchester-based Ambassador Marine, Salisbury and Eastleigh-based Halyard (M & I) Ltd, Fareham-based Azure Dragon, Southampton Yacht Services Ltd., Chichester-based Northshore Yachts Ltd, Gosport-based Ondeck, Lymington-based Scorpion Ribs Ltd and Lymington-based Versadock

To find out more about boot Dusseldorf go to http://www.boot.de

Posted 2010-01-04 10:43:54

Marine Interiors Project – Calling all Boat Designers

Southampton Solent University has a lively and engaging Interior Design undergraduate and post graduate programme, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative projects for its students to work on.

The Design team is part of the Faculty of Technology, which has a variety of Marine-based courses, for example the BEng (Hons) Yacht Production and Surveying, so it seemed only natural for the Interior Design team to take on some new design challenges with a marine slant.

Design lecturers are now looking for some Yacht Designers and builders who have drawings and possibly client briefs to work with to create possible interior design portfolios. These need not be "live" projects, but have some images and drawings for the students to work with. Students then have the opportunity to create some innovative marine-inspired design options and broaden their portfolio of experience.

If you have a boat or yacht that fits this brief then please contact: Vanessa Swatridge BA (Hons), Solent Enterprise Centres: Innovation & Design, Southampton Solent University on Tel: 023 80 319 862 or email Vanessa.swatridge@solent.ac.uk

Posted 2010-01-04 10:49:28

Hampshire Colleges work together to promote understanding of composite technologies

Last month Colleges across Hampshire worked together to co-ordinate a 5 day joint delivered epoxy composites programme through the LLN Engineering Curriculum Group.

On the opening day at Southampton Solent University delegates had a busy day in the Composite Labs working under the direction of Iain Thomas - creating components out of pre-preg advanced composite materials, and learning all about the strengths and properties of different composite structures and cutting edge technology in the composite arena.

Dave Browning at the Maritime Technology Centre then delivered the Epoxy composites course, aiming to bridge the gap between level 3 and level 4 learning and development.

The delegates went on to spend a day each manufacturing components at The Marine Technology Centre and Highbury College before final destructive testing of their products at University of Portsmouth facilities.

The delegates came from across Hampshire and Isle of Wight, and a variety of industry sectors - Hovercraft makers, blade manufacturers, and Wave Energy generators. The five day programme received excellent feedback: "well organised and prepared challenging but manageable practical work and energetic trainer with time to answer questions"; 'Excellent course, very well organised which allowed plenty of practical time'.

With so much enthusiasm the colleges are hoping to offer similar programmes for industry in the future and work collaboratively where possible to deliver industry first class training and development opportunities.

To find out more about the programme contact Jon Bramley on 023 8031 9642 or email Jon.Bramley@solent.ac.uk

Posted 2010-01-04 10:53:19

Insurance Premium Finance - cash saver for pressed Owners

A new venture aimed at easing premium flow for the often hard-pressed international marine market and its clients has been launched. Major insurers are reported to have confirmed that they will support what is said to be the first premium finance scheme in the sector. It is managed by a new independent company, Insurance Premium Finance Ltd (IPFL).

The company has secured a line of credit from a leading international bank to underpin premium finance for such covers as Hull and Machinery, and Protection and Indemnity, for ship operators. The financing also extends to cargo owners and charterers, and others taking out insurances in the marine market.

The fresh approach allows insurers to receive their premiums "up front" while enabling their clients to spread the payment of premiums over several installments, in either US dollars, Euros or Sterling.

Neil Barlow, a director of IPFL, said: "At present, domestic insurance business such as household or motor can be the subject of premium finance and the premiums can be paid over several installments. Similarly, for commercial insurance placed within the same market as the country of origin, premium finance can be arranged.

"Our research showed financing of premiums has until now been unavailable for cross-border transactions. For example, a Greek ship-owner arranging cover in the global marine insurance market in US dollars would not be able to obtain finance to spread the cost of the insurances over multiple installments, other than using the existing limited facilities granted by the insurance companies themselves."

The innovation is seen as especially useful in the Hull and Machinery and P&I markets, where IPFL says that the existing recognised installment structures do not work to the benefit of all parties. For Lloyd's brokers, the system looks attractive, as when a first installment is paid to underwriters, Lloyd's automatically debits the subsequent installments from the broker's bank account. Exposure by these brokers to payment of funds not collected by their accounts departments will no longer exist, says IPFL.

For more information contact Neil Barlow on +44 844 871 10 71 or email info@ipfl.info Alternatively log onto http://www.ipfl.info

Posted 2010-01-04 10:59:51

University of Southampton funds new Easter and Summer placement schemes

The University of Southampton’s Widening Participation Programme is funding 20 student placements with employers who are University alumni. The University is seeking to build on links with its alumni in order to provide an opportunity for them to receive enthusiastic student staff to work on projects of importance to their business. Those students who have participated in work based learning activities, as part of their course of study or in internship programmes, experience far greater success in achieving graduate level employment upon completion of their degree

Internships are geared to provide host employers with the resource to perform a particular business need. Internships are geared to provide host employers with resource to a particular business need. Sample projects may include:
- Benchmarking your service provision against that of competitors;
- Reviewing specific business processes;
- Provide project support to an ongoing project;
- Assist in the development of new products and/or services.

Placements are four weeks in Easter or July though time periods are adjustable to particular business needs.

The university will be active throughout the application process and can provide a regular contact point for both host employers and interns to liaise with throughout their posting.

To learn more about how your business can participate, please email Richard Carruthers, Work Based Development Co-ordinator R.J.Carruthers@soton.ac.uk .The closing date for applications is Friday 15th January 2010.

Posted 2010-01-04 11:12:19

Knowledge Networks: ‘EDSnet’ ends – ‘MEREX’ soon to start

In December one of the final Environmental Decision Support Network (EDSnet) workshops took place in Falmouth, focusing on the European SANY (Sensors Anywhere http://sany-ip.eu/ ) project. The SANY integrated project is concerned with the interoperability of in-situ sensors and sensor networks. SANY architecture provides a quick and cost-efficient way to use data and services from currently incompatible sensors and other data sources.

Since early last summer SANY has been running a pilot water quality monitoring and forecasting service in the estuaries of the Fal and Fowey rivers. The service demonstrates how a wide range of data can be collected and processed to help shell fisheries better cope with the effects of water pollution incidents. This improved management helps reduce public health risks and production costs.

Data in both rivers has been sourced from data buoys supplied by Triskel Marine Ltd, winners of the MSE sponsored Seawork 2008 'Spirit of Innovation Award' and long standing EDSnet members.

The SANY team reported progress on the development and use of the forecasting system following scene setting by the Environment Agency (EA) and the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS). Participants were introduced to both the formal regulatory regime in which forecasting has to operate, and to the issues concerned with the practical implementation and use of the forecasting tool in the confines of a competitive industry.

MSE CEO, Jonathan Williams explained that the SANY system was a technology demonstration tool and more development work was needed. However he believed the outputs to date showed how sensor data could be sucessfully integrated into a risk forecasting tool. Delegates indicated that whatever the result of the forecasting it must not make commercial shellfisheries less viable and if at all possible forecasting should be used to improve both the overall yield going to customers and ensuring the quality (health) of the edible shellfish.

Falmouth Harbour Commissioners indicated that they were interested in continuing to use the sampling techniques developed by SANY to monitor water quality and improve tidal forecasting to assist in a range of port operations such as dredging, vessel movements and pollution response planning.

In conclusion Jonathan Williams pointed out that if more research funding became available the current pilot system could be developed into a viable tool to both reduce risk to health and improve the commercial viability of the shellfish industry.

Facilitated by Marine South East, EDSnet is one of a number of Knowledge Networks supported by SEEDA. As EDSnet draws to a close MSE will be launching a new Knowledge Network. Also funded by SEEDA, 'MEREX' (Marine Energy Resources, Exploitation and Use) will seek to exploit and fill gaps in the science and technology base supporting the production and maritime use of alternative fuels and energy sources, along with the associated infrastructures for resource access such as wastes.

For more information email simon@marinesoutheast.co.uk

Posted 2010-01-04 11:26:37

November MareNet Event explores superyacht design

The MareNet event was held at the QinetiQ Portal Facility on 26th November and proved a vibrant environment to discuss the future of Superyacht design, recognising the important role that the South East has to play in this growing superyacht sector. Despite the tough economic environment, the annual British Maritime Federation survey indicated that Superyacht UK members bucked the trend of decline to post a substantial year on year growth rate of 15.3% in turnover, reaching a total of £410 million.

The evening started with a presentation by Chris Longmore from Drive who showed how they have utilised advanced graphic modelling tools developed for the automotive industry to design their concept Superyacht called 7C's.

The ability of designers and naval architects to create new concepts which meet the owner's requirement is a critical part of the design spiral. Chris Burden from QinetiQ GRC demonstrated how this can be achieved quickly and efficiently using their Paramarine software. He took the audience through a step by step description on how this software tool was utilised to develop the Eurydices Trimaran Superyacht concept.

The final presentation of the evening was made by Dan Craddock from QinetiQ's Maritime Platforms Team and demonstrated how a fully integrated design process is essential when creating a complex vessel such as the Partially Air Cushioned Supported CATamaran (PACSCAT). This has been designed in collaboration with BMT Nigel Gee and built by Griffon Hovercraft at Hythe Marine Park, near Southampton.

This was a good demonstration of the skills that reside within the South East of England that gives the region the ability to produce this world beating design.

In addition to ship design, QinetiQ also presented its hydrodynamic test facilities. These are used by Naval Architects to carry out a range of experiments to verify the performance of new a novel hull forms and to check that larger vessels conform to the MSC, IMO and SOLAS regulations.

QinetiQ is currently embarked on a £13m investment programme to ensure that it provides a 21st century capability to current and future clients. QinetiQ is committed to providing Superyacht designers with the ability to expand their innovation whilst knowing that they are still producing a ship which will not only meet their owner's requirements but have minimal impact on the environment.

For further information contact Ian Grant at QinetiQ on 023 9233 5130 or Mobile 07979530870.

Look out in future issues of email news for MareNet events in 2010. Alternatively email admin@marinesoutheast.co.uk and ask to be informed of events coming up.

Posted 2010-01-04 11:54:53

New advice line helps companies deal with employee health

A free adviceline has been launched to help small business managers with the expert advice and support they need to help team members experiencing ill health. Many managers will have experienced how the health of an individual impacts on their performance. What’s more, with the increase of work-related mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression, it is now more important than ever to:
- find the advice and support you need today to help an employee experiencing ill health;
- develop a plan to effectively and sympathetically deal with employee sickness absence;
- establish how to deal with similar problems in the future, should they occur;
- think differently about your business and the investment you could make in a healthy workplace.

It is widely recognised that the health of individuals is linked to their ability to effectively participate and contribute in their work. The impact of ill health on small businesses is significant, yet very few provide help and support to staff who suffer from ill health.

With some small businesses losing on average 12 days a year to physical or mental ill health, the potential impact on you and your business is considerable. Contacting the adviceline will help you to provide the immediate help and support needed by an employee experiencing ill health. You will understand how to manage future cases of employee ill health and sickness absence, and how to introduce healthier working practices that will positively impact on all your staff.

The adviceline will provide you with expert support to help you:
- get an employee back to work after long-term sickness
- manage the impact on your business when an employee takes time off work through ill health;
- support an employee and benefit from their abilities if they are at work with health issues;
- encourage and support an employee who is off work, yet wants to return and contribute to your business;
- develop a working culture where illness is less likely to occur.

To find out more contact the adviceline using the free phone number 0800 0 77 88 44. Alternatively visit http://www.health4work.nhs.uk

Posted 2010-01-04 11:59:23

Schools Marine Challenge goes national

The South East Schools Marine Challenge, which has been successfully challenging kids across the region to engineer methanol, electric and solar powered boats and compete against each other on race day has now become a national competition.

The new exciting Solar Challenge project, Formula Sun, is to design, build, test and race model boats powered by solar energy. The solar class of boat has always been popular with schools for a variety of reasons, including it being an economical and green project and the least problematic in terms of producing reliable boats.

It can be as simple or as technical as the school chooses, depending on the age and capabilities of the students and the amount of time they have to put into the project. The best news of all on this front however, is that it doesn't matter how land-locked a school is, as only a small amount of water is required to test the boats and hold school based races - unlike the IC and electric boats which require a Lake!

Teams compete in three rounds of Hull design and manufacture, Powertrain and Teamwork to design build and race boats powered by solar energy alone. Popular delivery methods include: club activity, curriculum project or a combination of both, one day challenge, primary links scheme, open day event or even staff training day activity.

Formula Sun is tailored to fit the engineering curriculum requirements enabling both individual projects and team delivery to take place side by side. This gives considerable scope for a context when pupils carry out work that requires them to engage with employers as part of their course, finding out about both technical and developmental aspects of working in industry. Schools can build their own tanks to enable testing, evaluation and development to take place.

This year the final race day will take place at either the London or Southampton Internatonal Boat Show. The official launch for this new competition will take place at the Tullet Prebon London International Boat Show on 12th January 2010.

For further information contact Rob Austin on +44 01869 819582 or email info@formulaschools.com

Alternatively log onto http://www.schoolsmarine.com/

Posted 2010-01-04 12:10:57

Workforce Coordination Project looks to address future skills needs

A recent Marine Workforce Coordination Project funded by SEEDA and led by Marine South East through its Workforce Development Group has come up with a number of recommendations to help ensure that the future marine workforce will have the right mix of competencies required by the marine sector in the South East region.

Interviews and visits were held with around 200 marine employers, public agencies, training providers and key stakeholders (both within and outside the region), and a number of reports and studies written over the past ten years were evaluated.

The report noted that a wide range of agencies offer help and support to the marine industry but that there is no coordinated, strategic approach that fully understands the dynamic needs of small to medium sized marine businesses.

A major expectation of the project was to develop and validate a strategy that could be used to ensure the future workforce is fit for purpose in providing the mix of competencies required by the marine industries across the South East. This has proved, as was expected, a major challenge and has led to the conclusion that due to the diversity and highly competitive nature of the industry one single approach is unlikely to be workable. A more flexible process based on responsiveness to the size of the business taking into account the expertise within the business is suggested.

The report explored a range of tasks, giving recommendations for each:
- Develop a methodology for creating a workforce growth profile
- Review the recommendations within the Marine Sector Skills Agreement for strategic workforce planning
- Understand current marine FE/HE education and training provision
- Support the Learning and Skills Council/Marine South East to understand/appreciate demand/supply profile in the sector, and consider impacts of changes to LSCs
- Ensure all providers are aware of the economic significance of the sector
- A mapping exercise suggesting uneven coverage of the range of competencies needed
- Work with SEMTA/Train to Gain to ensure the engineering sector compact agreement responds to the needs of the marine sector

For further information contact David Rea by emailing david@marinesoutheast.co.uk

or download a copy of the Executive Summary in the Downloads/Research Report section of this website

Posted 2010-01-04 12:35:50

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