WORKING AT HEIGHTS - Wind Energy Network

INDUSTRY ARTICLEThe UK &Irelandvessel cooperativeconference2013Image courtesy of Fendercare MarineWelcomeThe Mayor of Gt Yarmouth, Her WorshipCouncillor Colleen Walker, welcomed allpresent to Gt Yarmouth and describedhow important the wind industry has, andwill continue to be a very important sectorto the success of the area.IntroductionAndy Iannetta, MD of Offshore MarineSupport and Chairman for the day, gavea very enthusiastic introduction of what toexpect during the conference and invitedall to voice any opinions and/or concerns.He emphasised that it was very early daysin the life of the co-operative and everyoneinvolved felt it essential that every basewas covered regarding any concernsexpressed.Andy further explained, assisted by video,the reasoning behind the set up andexpressed his eagerness to involve allinterested parties, including educationalestablishments, colleges and fishermen/fishermen’s organisations.Speakers included...• Sean Matthews (Navitus Bay) – theNavitus Bay project• Jules Morgan (KPM-Marine) – safety atsea and crew habitation• Tim Smith (Fendercare) – support basefacilities and vessel innovations• Mark Hart & Alistair Hackett (OceanSafety) – man overboard & life safetyequipment• Ian Pease (Lowestoft College) – skills &training for wind farm support vessels• John Hawthorn (Red7Marine) – thevessel fund• Chris Holden – what do RES Offshoreneed from vessel suppliers to providea ‘one-stop-shop’• Paul Lines – the importance of safetymanagement systems within theco-operative• Jimmy Buchan – diversification andthe views of fishermenConclusionAll in all a very worthwhile day and we lookforward to following the progress of theco-operative through its formative yearsand beyond.There were a number of subject areaswithin the speakers’ presentations whichwe will be elaborating on in future editionsOffshore Marine Support ltdwww.offshoremarinesupport.comwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk05