Two successful MareNet events in September with busy programme ahead
Record numbers attended the 4th September MareNet event held in partnership with Portsmouth City Council at Boathouse No 7 in the Historic Dockyard.
There were presentations from Tony Belisario, Managing Director of VT Shipbuilding; Paul Karas Partnership Director Fleet Support Ltd and Barbara Thompson, Strategic Director for Portsmouth City Council. The event was timely following the recent Government announcements on the new Carriers and the future of Portsmouth Naval Dockyard.
The assembled 70+ delegates were given a comprehensive insight into the current projects and issues affecting VT Shipbuilding as well as a look at their future projects, supply chain and employment needs. Paul Karas from Fleet Support talked about their broad range of partnerships with the Navy, Civil Service and industry and gave a very interesting assessment of FSL's needs for the future and next generation models of partnerships which will affect the marine sector. Barbara Thompson concluded the presentations with an overview of the marine cluster in the Portsmouth sub-region and posed a number of challenges for the future of the marine sector including waterfront issues, skills needs, innovation and awareness.
The presentations stimulated a lively question and answer session on a number of topics including waterfront needs and ways to address the skills shortage. If you would like to download presentations from the event log on to http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/docs/papers
On 17th September, Marine South East co-hosted another very successful MareNet event with the University of Southampton. The theme of the event was 'From Americas Cups to Sound and Vibration; Marine Business Collaborations with the University of Southampton' and presentations included a number of University personnel including Professor Phil Nelson talking about the University's marine capabilities, Professor Ajit Shenoi looking at the marine sector through the knowledge economy and Ian Campbell, from the Wolfson Unit giving insights into the Luna Rossa Americas Cup Challenge 2007. A very interesting industry perspective on working with the University of Southampton was given by James Grazebrook, Joint Managing Director of Halyard Marine.
News of new European regulation on noise pollution from Brussels ten years ago prompted Halyard to take action. He helped create a partnership of companies and marine industry organisations from France, Italy, Sweden and Finland as well as the University and Halyard; it secured 750,000 euros for a two year Framework Six project to investigate the causes of noise in motorboats. Data was collected from 55 boats at locations all over Europe, and analysed by Halyard and ISVR acoustic engineers in Southampton. It found noise from exhausts was the main culprit. Along the way, the collaboration patented the Sound Buoy, a new device to measure noise from passing boats more easily.
The event, which took place during the Southampton Boat Show was well attended and concluded with a very useful networking session with marine businesses able to talk to University of Southampton staff about possible future collaborations.
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