Maritime Training Academy Authors

MRINA

Andy is a marine consultant, technical author and naval architect with more than forty years experience. He has managed his own yacht yard in Denmark and worked as a project manager with ‘Camper & Nicholson’, ‘Concorde Yachts’, ‘Southampton Yacht Services’, ‘Discovery Yachts’ and Technical Director at ‘Royal Denship’. He has set up and managed shipyards in England, Denmark, Bangladesh, China, Scotland, Greece & Thailand.

He specialises in yacht project management, design and writing operating in Europe and SE Asia. Having been involved with the design, build and repair of more than thirty super-yachts he has a good experience working with Lloyds, ABS, DNV, RINA, GL, & MCA (LY3) as well as Flag states and RCD CE Approval. He operates as a marine consultant, designer and writer, advising owners and yards on yacht building. This involves design work, preparing technical specifications, bills of materials, labour and pre-project cost estimates for any vessel. He has been a technical author since 1992 writing training books and articles on superyacht building and refits. He is a member of the ‘Yachting Journalists Association’ and the ‘Royal Institute of Naval Architects’.

Master Mariner, Class 1 Pilot

Andrew first went to sea in his father’s fishing boat at the age of 18 months! His early ambition of a career in the Royal Navy was swiftly superceded by a desire to join the Merchant Navy and at 17, Andrew embarked on a traditional deck cadetship with Mobil Oil.

Andrew served on clean products tankers and VLCC’s worldwide, including periods of ship to ship transfers in the Gulf of Mexico and bow-loading operations in the North Sea. His career progressed to gain further experience on board offshore drilling rigs, car carriers, freight ro-ro’s and passenger ferries. During this time, Andrew became a master mariner and completed an HND in nautical science.

In 1998, Andrew was offered a career in pilotage at a major UK port, becoming a senior first class pilot in 2003. Alongside his normal pilotage duties, Andrew is involved with planning, maintaining and monitoring the training scheme for his pilotage district.

With 4 colleagues, Andrew co-founded ‘Longscar Marine Consultants’ in 2010. This private company is engaged in providing specialised training courses and bridge simulations to pilots and senior mariners. In 2012, Longscar Marine’s ‘Enhanced Master/Pilot Relationship’ course was awarded the prestigious IHS ‘Safety at Sea’ award in the training category.

Marine Engineer, C.E., FIME(I), FINA(I), Member SCMA Canada ISM, ISO 9000 & 14000 Auditor

Mr. Bharat Hora has more than 30 years of maritime experience. He started his career with the Shipping Corporation of India as a junior engineer in 1980, after graduating from the Directorate of Marine Engineering Training. He continued to rise in ranks, sailing as Chief Engineer for three years with Univan Ship Management, before taking a job ashore as a marine engineering trainer. Since then, he has lived in various countries such as Canada, USA, Singapore, Australia and India, working in senior management positions for a shipyard, a large ship management company, a marine consultancy and a ship services company. Presently Mr. Hora is working independently as a vessel auditor, maritime trainer and new building consultant. He is a Member of Supply Chain Management Association of Canada and a Life Member of the Institute of Marine Engineers (India) and Institution of Naval Architects (India).

Career Summary

• Vessel Auditor, Maritime Trainer and New Building Consultant – 2012 to present
• General Manager and Business Head – Zebec Marine Consultants Ltd. (2009 to 2011)
• Projects & Engineering Manager – Seabulk Systems Inc. (2008 – 2009)
• Global Procurement Manager – Wilhelmsen Ship Management (2004 to 2008)
• General Manager (Projects and Procurement) – ABG Shipyard Ltd. (1996 to 2004)
• Marine Engineering Lecturer – LBS College of Maritime Studies (1994 to 1996)
• Service Engineer Marine and Power Plants – Wartsila Diesel (1988 – 1989)
• Junior Engineer to Chief Engineer – Various Ships (1981 – 1994)

Major Achievements

• Managed operation and maintenance of various shipboard plants, including diesel engines and power plants
• Managed major engineering, shipbuilding and conversion projects from tendering to delivery
• Received industry award for managing the most innovative maritime procurement organization

BA(Hons), LLM, PgDL, Solicitor

Daniel Crockford is a Solicitor and Consultant at the London based commercial law firm Ince where he is a member of the of the firm’s shipping and marine department. He previously worked for Keoghs.

Having decided to pursue a career in law having studied history at the University of Durham, Daniel trained with the law firm DAC Beachcroft where following qualification he specialised in insurance litigation with a particular focus on cargo claims and yacht disputes, including collision and salvage. Daniel is recognised in these areas in both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. He regularly writes articles and has contributed to publications such as Maritime Risk International, Superyacht Business, Insurance Day, Maritime Journal and Ship Technology Global.

Daniel also obtained a LLM in Maritime Law from the University of Bristol and is a member of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association, British Marine, Superyacht UK and the Yacht Brokers Designers & Surveyors Association.

Born in Makkum in the province of Friesland, in the northern part of Holland as the eldest son of a shipbuilding family, Cees was destined to become a shipbuilder as well.

He moved to Haarlem in his late teens to study Shipbuilding/Naval Architecture. After his graduation in 1974 he movedto Vlissingen and worked for some time at the Naval Yard of the Royal Schelde. After this he moved back to Makkum and started working in the family yard.

In the end of the seventies the yard had started yacht building alongside commercial building and Cees moved to the yacht building department in the early eighties. The yard went bankrupt in 1987 but was taken over by other parties and ultimately by the Damen Shipyards Group which continued the yacht building. Cees had various different functions in the yard and became project manager for the building of yachts in 1992.

In 2005 the Amels yacht building in Makkum by Damen ended (moved to the Royal Schelde Yard in Vlissingen) and the yard in Makkum was taken over by Feadship (de Vries Scheepsbouw).

It was not possible to continue employment with de Vries and, after a few other jobs, Cees was employed as project manager in developing a 35-meter motor yacht for a private owner in 2007. This lasted until 2011 after which the project was abandoned.

Following this, Cees started his own business in project management / consultancy: AMYCON – Amels Mega Yacht Consultancy.

After a number of successful years he retired in 2020.

MBE, CMMar, FNI

Following eighteen years of commercial seafaring Don joined the Port of London Authority as a pilot in 1991, from where he retired in December 2019 as a senior pilot.

Through most of his pilotage career he was involved with the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association including serving as both Chairman and Secretary General.

He remains passionate about the promotion of safety issues and the maintenance of the highest professional maritime and pilotage standards and has for a number of years been engaged in the CPD training of pilots and port management officials in Asia. Having written and contributed to numerous published papers over the years and presented at a wide variety of fora, his significant lifelong experience and associated expertise in maritime operations within the ports and shipping industries continues to be widely sought after.

Most recently that involves implications for port shipping navigation arising from the development of autonomous vessels (MASS) and also the inevitable effects of climate change on port operations.

On graduating from University Dom spent much of his twenties travelling the globe on many adventures that included backpacking across Africa, summiting Kilimanjaro and spending 21 days hiking in the Nepalese Himalayas as well as feeding his passions for hiking, skiing, scuba diving, camping and adventures at every possible opportunity.

To combine his passion for travel with earning a living Dom found his first job in travel in 2000 working for a well-known high street travel agent booking holidays for walk-in customers. Passionate and successful in his work he quickly moved up to assistant manager and then manager whilst also getting away on some extended breaks himself.

In 2006, spotting opportunities in the newly up-and-coming SME (Small and Mid-Size Enterprise) travel market, Dom moved to a corporate travel division. Here he absolutely excelled, repeatedly finishing the year in the top 10% of the company and being recognized with numerous awards. It was during this time he started specialising in the niche market of marine and maritime travel management. Working with several companies in this industry, he quickly became an expert in the field and the person to whom to go amongst his colleagues for advice in this specialist market.

Having become a very successful manager of a corporate travel team and an expert in marine and maritime travel, Dom felt his career with that company had peaked and yearned for a new (work) adventure. So, in December 2017, he left the corporate office world and became a self-employed Corporate Travel Manager specialising in marine and maritime travel. Running his own corporate travel franchise backed up by Travel Counsellors, Dom has built a very successful business and is still servicing the travel requirements of several leading marine and maritime companies daily. He is always available to assist with new business travel opportunities.

Born in Glasgow, Fred moved to Millport, an Island on the Firth of Clyde, at an early age then moved back to study Naval Architecture at Glasgow University.

Graduating with a BSc in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering in 1981 he then joined Yarrow Shipbuilders’ design office during the construction programme of the Type 22 and 23 Frigates for the Royal Navy.

Five years later, and after gaining his Chartered Engineer status by spending time in the shipyard Production Departments, Fred moved to London to work for Carnival Cruise Line’s consultants, and spent time in shipyards in both Denmark and Sweden during the build of the passenger vessels Jubilee, Holiday and Celebration.

Fred then joined P&O’s marine consultants, Three Quays Marine Services, and was involved in the technical and project management aspects of several commercial cruise liner and yacht projects from 50 to 160 metres, including one of the first yachts to comply with the MCA Code of Practice for Yachts. During this time Fred also worked on various committees and study groups for the MCA, IMO and NATO including the development of the MCA Code of Practice for Yachts.

After twelve years with Three Quays he left the position of General Manager Naval Architecture to work for Burgess in their London Office, managing aspects of their new construction projects in Shipyards throughout the world including Holland, France, Italy, Germany, Chile and Australia.

Following eight years at Burgess, he then became the Chief Supervisor of Project TOPAZ, a 147m Lurssen new build, working on behalf of the Owner.

Fred has subsequently continued as a project supervisor and independent consultancy for 100m+ newbuild projects for Owners.

MIIMS, AssocIMarEST, DipMarSur, MarEngTech, TechEng, RMS, CAE

Gary was first taught how to sail at the age of 13 by his uncle as part of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. Most weekends were spent racing in dinghies around the South of England.

He started his engineering apprenticeship in 1978 and spent many years in the heavy diesel industry. In 1989 Gary became a consulting engineer for a large international insurance company diagnosing and investigating engineering claims. This work also took him to Canada as an independent consultant.

Throughout this period Gary has used his spare time working and repairing yachts and eventually moved to Spain with his family in 2002. Here he has used his insurance and engineering knowledge to develop his own surveying company on the Costa Blanca.

BA (Hons), Chartered Insurance Practitioner, ACII

Graham is an Insurance/Reinsurance Claims Broker with over 38 years experience of broking marine claims in the Lloyd’s, London Companies and Overseas markets.
He stumbled into a job in international marine insurance upon leaving college with a degree in Economics & Spanish and quickly found it a fascinating world, such that he has made it a life-long career.

Graham first joined a firm of Lloyd’s brokers, Holmwoods & Crawfurd Marine & International limited, in 1978 as a Claims Technician/Broker with responsibility for broking Hull and Yacht claims in the Lloyd’s and London Company markets.

He handled an expanding portfolio of claims, including Cargo, P&I, Bloodstock and Livestock claims.
Holmwoods & Crawfurd later became Brown Shipley Insurance Brokers and Graham was promoted to Assistant Claims Manager in 1989. He then joined HSBC Gibbs Ltd in 1995, where he became Claims Manager of their Marine (Hull/P&I) Division.

In 1998 he joined another Lloyd’s broker, Besso Ltd and subsequently became Claims Director of the Marine Division. Dealing with similar marine claim types as previously, he has expanded his knowledge and experience to include complex U.S. liability, Salvor’s Liability, Brown Water Hull & Liability business, Ports & Terminals claims and Piracy cases off Somalia and West Africa.

In addition to his insurance qualifications Graham is an annual subscriber to the UK Association of Average Adjusters and the Association of Average Adjusters of the USA & Canada.

Managing Director at Maritime Services International

Master Mariner, BEng (Hons), MA, CEng, CMarEng, DipMarSur, RYA Yachtmaster (Ocean), Eur Ing, FNI, MRINA, MIMarEST, MRIN, MSNAME, MIIMS, MSCMS, MHCMM, AMS (SAMS), MEWI

Ian has led MSI to become one of the world’s leading surveying companies. Ian’s qualifications include: Master Mariner, RYA Yachtmaster Ocean, Naval Architect (BEng Ship Science) and Business Management (MA Business Management).

Practically Ian has worked on the new building Moss Rosenberg gas tankers in Mitsui (Northwest Sandpiper) and Mitsubishi (Northwest Stormpetrel), Japan and was part of a multidisciplinary team which undertook the life extension of the Technigas Methania.

My career spans over 40 years from all operating stages to Chief Engineer on a variety of vessels including cable-laying ships and other offshore assets, such as offshore drilling ships/ rigs and self-propelled jack-up units. More recently from 2002, I formed an independent Offshore Consultancy providing a range of services based around training, system procedures and competency for Offshore Blue Chip Companies involved in offshore drilling and the offshore renewables. The renewables relate to Wind Turbine Installation Vessels, HVAC substations and other aspects of the wind energy sector.

Other aspects of work include operations manuals for offshore renewables and oil and gas assets as well as Failure Mode Effect Critical Analysis (FMECAs) for well-known offshore companies.

Founder of Techman in 1998, Ian Hornsby originally trained in Naval Architecture. After a seven year stint in transport logistics in Paris he became charter Captain in 1983, as the industry was starting to take off.

After fifteen years of worldwide cruising as Captain and managing several new builds and refits for private Owners, he founded Techman, to provide technical manuals to the yachts he supervised. His inspiration has helped to steer the evolution of on-board ‘vessel management systems’ and is now innovating the shore-side processes that help shipyards, managers, crew and Owners to organise their new builds, refits and customer care.

Recent accomplishments include delivering the ship’s documentation for the world’s largest sailing yachts, embedded with the build teams and working daily alongside shipyard staff to achieve maximum results. Ian currently divides his time between the Techman customer base and developing new process-related products for
collaboration and business efficiency.

Joe is a practising solicitor, working as an Associate in Holland & Knight’s London office, and a member of the firm’s Asset Finance Group, with years of experience in asset finance.

Joe provides representation for a breadth of clients on a wide range of asset-based financing and transactional matters in multiple and diverse jurisdictions, across both commercial shipping and aviation assets. His work covers setting up the structures to acquire and hold the assets, the sale and purchase / trading of commercial assets (including sale and lease-back transactions), chartering and leasing aspects relating to commercial assets, the financing behind owning and operating commercial ships and aircraft, the management of the assets during ownership through to the disposal of the assets (either individually or as a portfolio), as well as post-acquisition financing and securitisation.

Joe recently spent a year in Singapore, working on a client secondment.

BSc (Hons), MA, DProf, Dip Law, MNI, Solicitor

Jonathan Hadley-Piggin is a solicitor and Partner in the marine and shipping department at Keystone Law a commercial law firm based in London. Jonathan attended Warsash Nautical College in Southampton sponsored by BP Shipping, where he gained a Class III Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer).

Following time at sea with BP (including during the Iran/Iraq war) he later gained a commission in the Royal Navy and attended Britannia Royal Navy College, then, sponsored by the Navy read for a degree in Maritime Law and Economics at Cardiff University.

He then served in a variety of surface ships before specialising in navigation in nuclear submarines. He left the Navy to study law where he later qualified at Stephenson Harwood in London, working primarily on salvage and collision case.

Director – Shore Side Pursers

When I was 21 my dream was to travel the world. I was unsure how I was to achieve this although I knew, in my heart, that I would somehow.

Then an amazing opportunity crossed my path which opened my eyes to the world of yachting, travelling, hard work and lifelong friends which lead to my highest achievement – the creation of my own company.

From a laundress to the Head of an Interior Department as a Purser, my drive, ambition and determination made me want to be the absolute best at everything I put my mind. Always striving to do better and learning from others in the process.

With 12 years under my belt in the yachting industry and succeeding in every possible role within the Interior Department, I can readily apply my years of experience and knowledge in accounting, managing and administration to turn, what I am currently putting into fruition, successful.

Shore Side Pursers Ltd works alongside Captains, Pursers and crew to manage the day-to-day running of a yacht’s administrative needs and alleviate extra pressure so the yacht can focus on other aspects on board.

On a lighter note – I have 3 fun facts about myself:

• I am a twin sister, 6 minutes younger than her and don’t I know it!
• I am left-handed and so is my twin sister
• I worked alongside my twin sister in yachting and Sophie helped build SSP with me.

Shore Side Pursers is also in partnership with One Ocean Marine Crew Recruitment, and our aim is to build awareness for both companies and become one of the leading shoreside service companies within the yachting industry.

Kevin Vallance has been a self-employed Trinity House (Hull) licensed Deep Sea Pilot since 2006. Working with the George Hammond Agency of Dover, he has worked onboard a wide variety of different vessel types including ultra-large container vessels, tankers, bulk carriers, cruise ships, car carriers and visiting warships. Prior to qualifying as a deep-sea pilot, he had twenty years of command experience.

Following two ‘near miss’ incidents involving pilot transfer arrangements, either of which could have had tragic consequences, he became active in promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of the risks involved when joining or leaving a vessel. After co-founding the ongoing #Dangerous Ladders project on social media in 2014, (in June 2022 the Facebook group has over 4, 000 members) and following his well-received book on Rule 10 TSS, he was persuaded to author a second book the Pilot Ladder Manual; both books are published by the Witherby Publishing Group.

Although now semi-retired he continues to represent the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots Association (UKMPA) on various Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA)-led committees and working groups, including the ongoing Pilot Transfer Safety Working Group.

In 2021 he was awarded the prestigious Merchant Navy Medal by Her Royal Highness (HRH) the Princess Anne, in recognition of his commitment to safety at sea.

BSc, MSc, FIMarEST, FRINA, CEng, QDR

Mike joined Cunard Line as a marine engineer apprentice at the age of 17, eventually reaching the rank of Chief Engineer with service aboard many types of vessel and engine.

During his career Mike has obtained his First Class marine engineer’s certificate of competency, Class 1 Hong Kong Local Master’s Certificate, a Bachelor of Science in Nautical Studies and Master of Science degree in Shipping and Maritime Studies. Experience has been gained in most areas of shipping with 8 years as a lecturer in Maritime Studies, with 5 years as Senior Lecturer at Warsash College of Maritime Studies, UK. In 2011 Mike was appointed as acting Principal and Consultant at the Asia Maritime Technological College, Sriracha, Chonburi, Thailand, until the college was completed and operational.

Time has also been gained as a Technical Superintendent with a UK coastal company.

Since leaving full time education, Mike has continued to be a visiting lecturer at various establishments and regularly carries out training seminars on various shipping related subjects to shipping organisations, eg, Highland Maritime Ltd, Bangkok, M.I.C.E. Global, Singapore, NAMSGlobal, USA, Wallem Shipmanagement. This includes a LNG transfer and auditing course for EGAT, November 2019.

Thirty years experience has also been gained in hull, machinery and cargo surveying in the USA, New Zealand, Fiji and South East Asia. Most of this was based in Hong Kong, providing a wide range of marine consultancy and surveying services to P&I Clubs, Shipowners, Shipmanagers, Underwriters, Admiralty Lawyers and other Principals. Mike is also a qualified Mediator, being registered both in the UK and Hong Kong.

Mike is a regular contributor of shipping technical articles to various maritime publications. He is a columnist for Baird Maritime and the IMarEST Marine Professional. He is currently editor of FLASHLIGHT, the free emailed monthly newsletter distributed to 4,000+ marine surveyors around the world. If you wish to be added to the circulation list email: mikewallassociates@gmail.com

More recently, Mike has authored 32 training modules for diplomas in marine superintendency, ship surveying, yacht & small craft surveying and ship building & repair and he continues to mentor students.

His book entitled ‘Hatch Covers – Operation, Maintenance and Testing’ was published in 2008 (this is repeated at the end of the sentence) by Witherby Seamanship International in 2008. His second book entitled ‘Report Writing for Marine Surveyors was published by Petrospot in February 2011. His third and fourth books ‘Report Writing for Professional Marine Engineers’ were published by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology in early 2014. His fifth book ‘Running a Successful Marine Survey Company’ was published in January 2015. In January 2017 Mike self-published ‘Marine Surveying and Consultancy – An Introduction’ and ‘Marine Warranty Surveying – An Introduction’. His latest self-published book is ‘Ship Superintendency – An Introduction’.

He is a Fellow of IMarEST, Chartered Marine Technologist. As a qualified dispute resolver (QDR) he has successfully concluded several shipping related mediations.

BSc, MSc, MBACS

Niall joined the Royal Navy as a Supply Officer in April 1990 after gaining his BSc (Hons) in Geography from Edinburgh University. After seeing off the Soviet threat, with the break-up of the Soviet Union in the summer of 1990, and Saddam Hussein in Kuwait (he surrendered before Niall arrived on his frigate), Niall left the Navy for further study.

This time he studied an MSc in Marine Resources, Development and Protection at Heriot-Watt University. This included a dissertation on the development of the harbours at Dunedin and Port Chalmers in Otago, New Zealand and he has recently learnt that this has been referred to in the current study preceding the possible enlargement of the container terminal at Port Chalmers.

After graduating, Niall worked as a Fisheries Observer on Spanish and Portuguese vessels on the Grand Banks off Newfoundland. From there, he moved to work as a marine surveyor working for the Five Anchors Group in Lagos Nigeria surveying damage to ships and cargo. Following this he had his first contact with Maritime Services International when he was contracted to return to Lagos to help release vessels from arrest.

Since then, Niall has worked for two large marine cargo surveying companies, Cunningham Lindsey Marine in The Netherlands and International Surveyors and Adjusters (ISA) in the UK. Through the latter, Niall qualified as a Member of the British Association of Cargo Surveyors. In mid-2012, he left ISA to set himself up as a contract worker for Maritime Services International.

In his spare time, Niall is a member of the Royal Navy Reserve, has trained as an Assistant Operations Officer for Mine Hunters and has recently stepped up to train for the next level as Battlewatch Captain in the control cell for the Mine Hunter Squadrons.

Head of Commercial Development with Hedley’s Private Client Logistics

Pandora Mather-Lees is an art historian with over 20 years’ experience in the commercial art sector working with galleries, museums, auctions houses, art-related platforms, logistics, education and a range of professional art organisations and is Director of Pandora Art Services consultancy.

As Head of Commercial Development with Hedley’s Private Client Logistics, Pandora established their art division. Working down in the South of France, she realised that significant risk was taking place moving art from yachts around the world. It was then she decided to create a course to educate the superyacht industry in relevant art matters.

She has been training the stewardess community and superyacht industry through workshops, courses, one to one training and lectures since 2017. Throughout this time she has gained knowledge of the hazards besetting crew who are burdened with the responsibility of major art collections.

Paula started her in yachting in Australia where she worked on yachts and day cruises on the Great Barrier Reef. Moving to Superyachts in a junior position as an interior stewardess and progressed steadily through the ranks to be promoted to her first Chief Stewardess/Purser’s position in September 2000.

Paula’s career has taken her all over the world and she has worked as Purser on some of the most wonderful superyachts in the world including MY Titan, SY Athena, MY Déjà Vu, MY Maridome, MY A and MY Seven Seas. Between Purser appointments Paula has also worked for a number of Ultra High Net Worth individuals in Estate Management.

MSc

Perrin Towler studied Mechanical Engineering (Naval Architecture) at University College London prior to embarking on a 26 year career in the Royal Navy. As well as serving at sea worldwide he was involved in the build of HMS MARLBOROUGH and OCEAN, and the refits of HMS SHERATON, LANCASTER and NOTTINGHAM. Early ship repair and construction experience was gained on the Thames, at Yarrows on the River Clyde and Cardiff Dry Docks on a wide variety of vessels.

Perrin gained an MSc from Kingston University in 2007 and has since been a Marine Surveyor having established an independent consultancy based on the south coast of the United Kingdom.

C Eng MI Mar E

Recently retired from V Ships UK Ltd as a Fleet Manager and is now a Consultant Marine Engineer.

Career started in 1960 as a cadet in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) and obtaining First Class Certificate of Competency (Steam and Motor) while in their service. Seagoing experience was gained with the RFA until 1973 and Townsend Car Ferries (TCF) achieving the rank of Chief Engineer Officer before taking up a shore position in the Marine Department of TCF in 1976.

Continued as Technical Superintendent with TCF until 1981 at which time a position was taken up establishing an out office in Miami for Bolton Maritime Management. The office was to provide technical support for two Ro Ro vessels operating in the Caribbean and Central America. Transferred to Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) in 1983 as Port Engineer for vessels operating out of Miami, Los Angeles and Alaska.

Left CCL and started my own business LT Marine Engineering Consultant Engineers in 1988 providing services to the cruise industry based in Miami. After a brief spell as Technical Director of International Shipping Partners returned to the UK in 1995 joining Acomarit as Technical Superintendent. Acomarit was absorbed by V Ships in 1990 and I continued in their employ retiring with position of Fleet Manager in 2011.

BEng (Hons), MIIMS, DipMarSur – Marine Surveyor

Richard has travelled the world as a marine surveyor working across the industry from small sail boats, superyachts to large commercial vessels. Surveyors are a fundamental part of an insurance claims as they are the eyes and ears of their clients and they work across a wide cross section of claims.

Having dealt with a variety of claims, whether cargo, hull and machinery claims to personal accident he has attained insight into this specialised area.

Pennington Manches Cooper

Sarah Allan is a partner in the Marine Trade and Energy Department of Pennington Manches Cooper. She has developed particular expertise in yacht-related matters and advises owners, managers and yards on contracts relevant to superyacht operations, including sale and purchase transactions, re-fit, yacht charters and management agreements.

She also advises on yacht and superyacht claims and disputes, including casualties and disputes under such contracts. Sarah is an accomplished sailor and yachtmaster who has competed at international sailing events and worked on yachts. She has developed a practice in advising on matters relating to sailing regattas and racing incidents, including collisions. She also acts alongside the personal injury team in the event of more serious injury.

With a background in shipping law, and having worked for an International Group P&I club, Sarah is regularly instructed on a broad range of commercial shipping matters including charterparty and bill of lading disputes, and insurance claims and coverage disputes.

Master Mariner, MNI.
Senior Pilot / Marine Operations Advisor

Stephen had is first taste of life at sea whilst in his early teens on a trip arranged on the ‘TS Jonas Hanway’, which was sponsored by the Marine Society.

After completing his education at the Hull Trinity House Nautical School and at the age of sixteen, Stephen embarked on a traditional deck cadetship with Buries Markes Ship Management sailing worldwide on geared bulk carriers.

Stephen served on a variety of vessels during his seagoing career including Oil Tankers (Crude and Products), LNG Carriers, Offshore Supply, Ro-Ro (Freight and Passenger), Passenger Vessels and finally on Car Carriers trading within UK/Coastal waters. During this time, Stephen completed his studies being awarded a HND in Nautical Science and his Master Mariner certification.

In 1999, Stephen was offered a position within a pilotage company at a major UK port and became a Senior First Class Pilot in 2004.

In 2011, Stephen accepted a position within the project team for the development, start-up and operation of a major new LNG Project in West Africa.

Stephen has always maintained an active interest within Pilotage and Port Operations and considers himself fortunate enough to have been trained by and serve alongside highly skilled, professional mariners.

With four colleagues, Stephen co-founded ‘Longscar Marine Consultants’ in 2010 and remains an active director. This private company is engaged in providing specialised training courses and marine consultancy services to Pilotage Organisations and shipping companies worldwide.

In 2012, Longscar Marine’s ‘Enhanced Master/Pilot Relationship’ course was awarded the prestigious IHS ‘Safety at Sea’ award in the training category.