Feature: The fi rst year
8 | Seaways | August 2019 Read Seaways online at http://www.nautinst.org/seaways
Presidential address to the NI AGM 2019
The fi rst year
Captain Nick Nash
FNIT
he Nautical Institute’s International Seminar and AGM was
kindly hosted by The Nautical Institute’s Hong Kong Branch.
Unfortunately, at the last minute we had to move from the
magnifi cent venue that was originally planned at the Royal
Hong Kong Yacht Club.
The AGM and seminar brought together an international gathering
of members and other industry leaders, front line practitioners and
younger professionals to create an exciting programme. The emphasis
was on shiphandling, a particular and indeed necessary ‘hobby’ of
my own! Shiphandling is one of the core skills for any shipmaster.
The conference offered further insights into this skill – and the
repercussions if we get it wrong. Training is the key. Ensuring that
ships’ offi cers get more realistic simulator time along with computer-
based training is vital to ensure that shiphandling will be taught
effectively, along with proper mentoring while at sea. The collaboration
between, and integration of, bridge teams, pilots and VTS, and full use
of new technologies, will ensure that shiphandling lies at the heart of
safety and best practice in the maritime industry.
The fi rst year
I have enjoyed my fi rst year as your President and meeting other
members away from the cruise industry in which I work. I have
travelled to Greece, Malta, Ireland and, in the UK, Southampton –
where I failed in the overtaking interaction exercise on the manned
model lake at Warsash, much to the amusement of Nigel Allen and his
team. My travels also took me to London to meet the Princess Royal
and the Duke of York and, when I found it, Scunthorpe.
Unfortunately, my travels were suddenly interrupted by appendicitis
at Singapore’s Changi Airport just before boarding a fl ight to Perth. I
would like to pay tribute to Singapore’s excellent medical care and the
very kind and friendly Nautical Institute branch in Singapore who,
after saying goodbye to the President, suddenly found him back again,
this time in hospital. I should particularly like to mention Captains
Venkat and Sangam, who visited me in hospital before and after the
operation. My personal thanks must also go to Chantal Ollivierre,
executive assistant to John Lloyd, for sorting out all our travel
arrangements and my medical bills!
While enduring a forced four days convalescence at a beach hotel
(courtesy of the NI’s insurance), Captain Nick White took me on a tour
of the island’s WW2 battle sites and Nick Hall took time to show me
the impressive Swire training and simulator facilities. I was also able
to visit the most impressive Singapore VTS control room courtesy of
Captain Sangam. I hope to make up my missed visits later on this year.
Professional development
While I may not have travelled quite as far as originally intended
this year, the range and scope of the countries I did visit refl ects the
international reach of The Nautical Institute around the world. Our
members contribute across these oceans in forums such as this to
ensure ongoing improvement in seafarer education, training and crewing.
The panel discussions and round tables are a vital part of our
conferences and allow us all to participate and gain the most from
our excellent speakers. I do encourage all our members to take full
advantage of these. Through this and other such conferences I hope
that we can infl uence all those who go down to the sea in ships to
ensure that they are well trained and competent.
The professional development that the NI offers is not limited
solely to conferences and publications, of course. More recently we
have developed some bespoke short courses where we think we can
contribute to professional standards. We continue to work very strongly
in the energy sector through our Dynamic Positioning qualifi cations. As
an educational charity our promulgation of best practice by engaging
with academia and through professional networking via our branch
membership is very important and contributes to the Institute’s success.Looking forward
In 2022 The Nautical Institute will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
The Institute is preparing a series of global meetings and conferences
during which we will spread our professional message as strongly and as
widely as possible. Nearer the time we will decide on the key themes,
though these may differ in various parts of the world. They will be
based around the Institute’s fi ve-year plan, as decided by our members
in the President’s Survey, which will take place later this year. As it
stands, our fi ve key objectives are:
O Providing professional and practical input to the work of the IMO
ensuring members’ concerns are effectively addressed within the industry.
O Promoting a sustainable maritime profession.
O Encouraging human-centred design at sea and in training.
O Promoting continuing professional development and mentoring.
O Expanding and serving the Institute’s membership.
The Nautical Institute’s strategic plan also has a commitment to
continue produce books and periodicals (Seaways and The Navigator)
that support the professional development needs of our members and
other maritime professionals.
None of the above would be possible without a host of dedicated
professionals at branch level around the world and at HQ in London.
I would particularly like to thank our CEO John Lloyd, who has kept
me busy on NI business during my leave from sea – and made sure I
had travel insurance before I embarked on my travels; Peter Hinchliffe,
chairman of the Executive Board; the Executive Board members;
Council and the hard-working chairs of committees:
O Nominations Committee: a special acknowledgement to Nigel Allen
(my model lake humiliation now forgiven) for his period as chair and
best wishes to the new chair, Bero Vranic.
O IMO chair – Robert McCabe.
O Professional Development Committee – Neil Dulling.
O Technical Committee – Trevor Bailey.
Thank you and I look forward to my next year as your President.