Read Seaways online at http://www.nautinst.org/seaways May 2019 | Seaways |
Trustees’ Annual Report
Publications
The highlights of the year were the new editions of the books covering
ice navigation – Handling Ships in First Year Ice and Polar Ship
Operations. Both books have proved popular as navigating in ice gains
closer attention from the maritime world.
Our Launch and Recovery of Boats from Ships book covers an area
outside the expertise of most ships’ staff and the book outlines good
practice and explains the techniques and systems that can improve
manoeuvres.
Another initiative in the year was the publication of the
Shiphandling Logbook, which allows mariners to record and reflect
on their shiphandling experiences. It acts as a valuable proof of
professional development.
The Admiralty Manual of Navigation Volume 2, Astro Navigation was
published during the year. This eleventh edition is part of a series of
books that the Institute publishes on behalf of the Royal Navy.
A major effort was undertaken to publish and distribute the Alert!
Compendium volume. One thousand copies went out free of charge to
training colleges around the world, bringing the results of that project
to more students than ever before.
The Navigator magazine continued its popular distribution through
ships’ agents, shipowners and managers, pilots, Harbour Masters,
surveyors and other professionals. The response to it is overwhelmingly
positive and circulation has risen to 100,000.
Seaways
Seaways has seen some lively, and at times controversial, discussions,
particularly on the topics of autonomous shipping and pilotage. This
is a forum where contributors may – and should – have different
opinions, not ‘the Voice of The Nautical Institute’. It is good to see that
it continues to play an important part in the life of the Institute and the
maritime community.
As well as giving a voice to our members, we have also been able to
use the magazine to share expertise from other organisations, including
BIMCO and the IMO. Seaways also gives us a chance to celebrate
the achievements of our branches and our members. A new series of
interviews looking at the career paths of individuals within the Institute
helps link the community together and showcase options for members
looking for the next step in their careers.
In line with our environmental policy, we have recently switched
to fully compostable starch-based wrapping. Seaways continues to be
available digitally on the website and as a downloadable app.
Marketing and communications
Work continues on the new website, which is well on the way to
completion. Work went into new features and transferring all the
valuable material from the old site.
We have stepped up communication with members and emails
are going out on membership anniversaries and regularly on other
occasions.
Grade 2017 2018
No. No.
Hon. FNI 23 22
FNI 569 534
AFNI 1916 2061
MNI 3793 3733
AMNI 12 14
AMNI (S) 203 386
Total 6516 6750
Total membership at year endThe Institute was represented by a team at the Posidonia exhibition
in Greece and the stand was visited by members, potential members,
book buyers and potential customers in a very busy week. There was
support for the Institute efforts from the growing Hellenic branch.
We supported the London Branch meeting in Bristol – always a well-
attended event with worthwhile speakers – and the Institute’s AGM in
Malta (below left).
A team also went to Manila to attend the CrewConnect conference
to meet members, potential members, industry representatives and
local training schools to boost membership and book sales.
Visits were made to several maritime training colleges to tell cadets
about the work of the Institute and show them the support we can offer
them. We have had some success in attracting cadets to membership.
The response and questions at each session show there is an ongoing
demand for this service.
Press releases continued to be issued on a regular basis with wide
coverage from media all over the world.
The Nautical Institute continues to see growth in response to its
social media communications. The NI LinkedIn discussion group
highlights the work of the Institute and the issues it wants to promote.
At the end of the year the position with social media was:
O CEO Twitter Feed: 167 followers
O NI LinkedIn Group: 19,643 members
O NI LinkedIn Company Page: 10,299 followers
O NI Facebook: 28,884 likes
O NI Twitter: 15,200 followers
O NI YouTube: 1,414 subscribers/111,167 views.Membership
The team at the Institute has been active in recruitment and retention
of members and this is bearing fruit. Membership by the end of 2018
was 6,750, the highest ever, and stood 230 above 2017 levels.
The team supporting membership expanded this year, particularly
in terms of support for the branches. Additional effort is going into
providing proactive help for membership activities centred on local
links.
Membership benefits are continually under review. A major plus was
gained when KVH Videotel agreed to give members access to one free
course a year. Members are able to select from a list supplied by KVH
Videotel which is updated on a regular basis.
The virtual branch resource is growing, with several webinars held
during the year. For members at sea and those not geographically close
to a branch and so unable to attend physical meetings, these help to
provide the information and support we like all members to enjoy.
The year also saw the introduction of group membership, which
gives a 30% discount if there are three or more members in an
organisation.
Nautical Affiliate membership continues to be strong, with many
organisations sponsoring the Institute’s work with MARS in this way.Members