FOCUS

Issue 2, 2005

HELPING TO ASSESS THE IMPACTS OF OFFSHORE WIND FARMS

IN THIS ISSUE:
MEETING THE DEEPWATER INSTALLATION CHALLENGE NEUTRALISING THE THREAT OF POTENTIALLY POLLUTING SHIPWRECKS

CONTENTS
2 5 News Meeting the deepwater installation challenge
Increases in oil and gas prices and the need to develop hydrocarbon finds in greater ocean depths have given added urgency to the Deepwater Installation of Subsea Hardware (DISH) joint industry project which is managed by BMT.

Helping to assess the impacts of offshore wind farms

There are a number of challenges which must be overcome if offshore wind energy is to realise its true potential. BMT has recently been appointed to lead projects that seek to address two key issues.

Marine surveying companies unite to form new division

To ensure that clients receive the highest level of service and benefit from the broad range of experience and skills available, BMT has pooled the services of its three marine surveying companies and formed a new division named BMT Surveys.

Neutralising the threat of potentially polluting shipwrecks

The number of shipwrecks in UK waters has soared from initial estimates five years ago. This is a major concern given the potential risk of leaks of considerable quantities of oil and other hazardous substances. To help explore the challenges BMT is co-hosting a two day workshop.

10 Where are all the marine surveyors?

Faced by a shortage of potential marine surveyors Ken Arnott, Managing Director of BMT Murray Fenton Ltd, highlights BMTs work to attract new recruits into the profession.

Cover image: Mike Page and E.ON UK Renewables Inside cover image: E.ON UK Renewables

EDITORIAL

Welcome to Issue 2 of Focus 2005. Globally BMT is busy helping the oil, gas and renewable energy industries to operate in a safe, cost-effective and environmentally sound way. If offshore wind energy is to be a major contributor towards European governments targets for renewable energy generation then a number of significant issues need to be addressed. This edition of Focus looks at two highly topical BMT projects which are exploring the impact of offshore wind farms on marine vessel safety and the environment more generally. Elsewhere in the energy sector BMT is working to support oil and gas operators needs to install hardware in ultra-deep water, which is being driven by increases in oil and gas prices and the requirement to develop hydrocarbon finds in greater ocean depths. This project is the subject of another feature in the edition. We also take a look at the potential risk of leaks of oil and other hazardous substances from shipwrecks. This is a topical issue and one on which BMT is co-hosting a debate. Across all sectors of operation, it continues to be a busy time for BMT and our news pages include reports on the formation of a new defence company in Australia and the pooling of our marine surveying companies into a new division. We hope that you enjoy the magazine and as always, we are interested to hear your thoughts on any of the topics featured.

Focus is published by: British Maritime Technology Limited Orlando House, 1 Waldegrave Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 8LZ, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 8943 5544 Fax: +44 (0)20 8943 5347 E-mail: enquiries@bmtmail.com Website: www.bmt.org For further information on BMT products or services please contact BMT at the above address. Edited by Helen McInnes at Republic Tel: +44 (0)20 7379 5000 Fax: +44 (0)20 7379 5133 E-mail: helen@republicpr.com

Statements made or opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of British Maritime Technology Limited. Permission for reproduction of articles in FOCUS must be obtained from the Editor. The FOCUS mailing list is held on computer. If, under the Data Protection Act 1998, you wish to have your name removed or have any other mailing list enquiries please contact the Editor. Readers wishing to be added to the distribution list should also contact the Editor.

FOCUS ISSUE 2, 2005

NEWS

Australian expansion
A strategic long-term investment in Australia is being made with the establishment of a new Melbourne company.

Last year the Australian Government launched a new naval construction programme. It is in this context that BMT is expanding its international operations to provide independent naval design, engineering and support services. BMTs capabilities have already been recognised by the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) which has engaged BMT to support it during the current phase of the naval acquisition programme.

The company, BMT Defence Services (Australia) Pty Ltd is now operational. Its Managing Director David Maclean and Director Technical and Operations Gordon MacDonald lead a team of British and Australian nationals who will be afforded opportunities to gain experience from a wider base of projects within BMT. In this way the company will maintain its philosophy of continuous learning and development which will sustain the business long-term. For further information, contact David Maclean at BMT Defence Services (Australia) Pty Ltd, dmaclean@bmtdsl.com.au and recovered in sea state four at speeds up to 10 knots. BMTs innovative design is already attracting interest around the world for other military and commercial applications. For further information, contact Nigel Gee at BMT Nigel Gee and Associates Ltd, ngee@ngal.co.uk

Fast cat takes to the seas

The US Navy has launched the X-Craft, an experimental platform for an innovative new class of fast, littoral, warfare craft, designed by BMT Nigel Gee and Associates Ltd. The vessel, a 1,500 tonne, 50 knot catamaran, will be used by the US Navy to evaluate the hydrodynamic performance, structural behaviour and efficiency of high speed vessel technology. It is designed for

coastal region warfare missions, including anti-mine and anti-submarine duties. The X-Craft is capable of carrying its own weight in payload and fuel and can cross oceans at high speed without refuelling. The US Navys requirement was for the X-Craft to remain fully operational in sea state four at 40 knots. Model tests of the hull form have shown that the craft can remain fully operational well into sea state five. The vessels structure is all aluminum with propulsion by waterjets driven by gas turbines for high-speed operation and diesel engines for low speed cruising. The hull form was specially developed to enable helicopters to land and take off in conditions up to sea state five. A ramp at the stern allows boats up to 10m long to be launched BMT Defence Services Ltd has designed a family of unique and versatile management vessels named COHORT that is capable of performing a diverse range of roles, helping governments establish effective and enforceable Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) supporting functions including fishery management, law and order and protection of the environment. COHORT features a spacious aft working deck, garage deck and helicopter platform. This is supported by interlinking handling equipment for the embarkation and disembarkation of a wide variety of autonomous vehicles, interception craft, stores modules, navigation buoys and even submarine rescue vehicles.

BMT designs versatile vessel concept

The vessels are designed to launch four 7m autonomous or manned vehicles from the stern for rapid interception and off-board surveillance. In addition a 20-man boarding party can be deployed in four dedicated rigid inflatable boats. COHORT is designed for effective manning, with its containerised supply of refrigerated stores and waste collection. The containers form an integral part of the stores system and can be exchanged at port, requiring minimal shore infrastructure. For further information, contact: Rob Steel at BMT Defence Services Ltd, rsteel@bmtdsl.co.uk

NEWS

Controlling aquatic invaders

The Canadian Government is currently developing regulations and port state control procedures to reduce the risk of invasive species being released with ships ballast water. BMT Fleet Technology Ltd is assisting in this work by conducting risk analyses and developing new tools to support decision making. The similarity of the environmental conditions in origin and destination ports or bioregions and the characteristics of the species that can be found at each end of the route are both important invasion risk factors. Work is ongoing in Canada and internationally to develop more comprehensive data on both of these aspects. BMTs risk assessment approach is being designed with the flexibility to work with what is known today and also with the more detailed information that will become available in the future. This latest project is one of several independent assessments which BMT has performed for vessel operators, suppliers and regulators. Prior research projects have included system specific tests, focusing on the efficacy of mechanical, biocidal and biological approaches to the control of invasive species as well as investigations into the effect of de-oxygenation and chemical treatment systems on ships structural integrity. For further information, contact David Stocks at BMT Fleet Technology Ltd, dstocks@fleetech.com
Wisconsin Sea Grant, C. Ramcharan

Monitoring oil spills by satellite

The persistent beaching of oil spills on the 1,000 islands in the West Java Sea, one of Indonesias most important marine parks, is a major environmental issue. To help alleviate this, BMT Asia Pacific Pte Ltd has been contracted by Chinese National Overseas Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to set up a round-the-clock oil spill pollution surveillance service. The service uses satellites to identify the

trajectories of oil spills to predict whether they are likely to reach coastlines. The data on the spills observed can then be interpreted using specialist predictive software that takes into account tides and currents. Advice is being made available through a web portal within hours of data

collection to organisations involved in emergency response operations. Back track modelling is also being used to identify the source of spills. For further information, contact: David Wignall at BMT Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, david.wignall@bmtasia.com.sg

Monitoring deepwater currents

BMT Scientific Marine Services Inc has been contracted by oil and gas operators in the Gulf of Mexico to help them comply with a new regulation requiring deepwater ocean current monitoring on floating facilities. Real time monitoring of ocean current data for facilities in water depths greater than 400m is now required in the Gulf of Mexico region. Currents must be monitored from near surface to approximately 1,000m and the data reported every twelve hours to a publicly available internet website specified by the local Minerals Management Service. In addition, facilities in water depths greater than 1,100m must install a current meter to record near bottom currents which must be reported every six months. BMT has provided Integrated Marine Monitoring Systems (IMMS) on seventeen of the floating facilities affected by the new regulation. Most of the monitoring systems on these facilities have current profilers which either meet the new requirements or may qualify for a preinstalled exclusion. BMT is now working with operators and owners to determine on a case-by-case basis the lowest risk and most costeffective method to bring other facilities into compliance with the regulation. For further information, contact Craig Campman at BMT Scientific Marine Services Inc, ccampman@scimar.com

RSI

FOCUS ISSUE 2, 2005

FOCUS ISSUE 2, 2005

NEWS

Improving disabled accessibility planning

BMTs research directorate is working on a pioneering system to develop an integrated information system to enable disabled people to plan excursions at any time, using public transport, their own vehicle, by walking or using a wheelchair, taking into consideration real-time accessibility issues. Many disabled users have problems with participating in important social and functional activities, such as shopping, visiting public parks and theatres, because they cannot easily find out whether their access needs will be met. It can be difficult, for example, to identify at short notice whether the next bus will be wheelchair friendly or if there will be anyone available in the supermarket to help with shopping. The Mobilisation and Accessibility Planning for PEople with Disabilities (MAPPED) project aims to develop a new integrated information system which will include a multi-modal route planner with accessibility information on a user-friendly mobile interface which would enable accessibility services to be reserved. BMT has already defined user requirements and will soon complete the specifications for the system. The first prototypes of the system will shortly be developed with user testing planned for early next year. For further information, contact: Rory Doyle at British Maritime Technology Ltd, roryd@bmtech.co.uk

Transforming maritime simulation training

BMT SeaTech Ltd has expanded its leading range of ship-handling tools and has launched a Manoeuvring Engine Software Development Kit (MeSDK). For the first time the MeSDK enables third party companies to incorporate BMTs world-renowned theoretical expertise and mathematical models within their own software applications. MeSDK customers will immediately have access to PC Rembrandts database of fully validated library ships and environmental models. Existing PC Rembrandt customers will now be able to run these models on a wide variety of platforms including full bridge simulators and stand alone training tools. The benefit to the industry at large is better quality simulations over a far broader range of applications and at reduced cost. For further information, contact Gwynne Lewis at BMT SeaTech Ltd, g.lewis@bmtseatech.co.uk

Maritime statistics to be collected by BMT

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has awarded BMT Reliability Consultants Ltd a contract to collate information on all maritime freight traffic and ship movements to and from UK ports. The information is required by the DfT to support the European Community maritime statistics directive. Once analysed by the DfT, shipping lines, shipping agents and port operators will also be able to access the data to develop their own business strategies.

Lairdside Maritime Centre

(Left to right in the foreground) Chris Hughes of BMT SeaTech Ltd, HM Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Richard Makepeace, a member of staff from the office of Sheikh Khalid Bin Abullah Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, the Sheikh himself (Chairman of the Sharjah Ports Authority and son of the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah) and Mark Willbourn of BMT Marine Procurement Ltd discussing BMTs role in ferry procurement at the Gulf Maritime Exhibition in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The event was attended by BMT Marine Procurement Ltd, BMT Nigel Gee and Associates Ltd, BMT SeaTech Ltd and The Salvage Association.

Port traffic statistics are derived from returns by shipping lines or their agents of traffic loaded or unloaded at major UK ports. Port authorities also supply summary information on the tonnage of ships using their facilities. Each year the DfT publishes national statistics on port traffic and UK and world fleet statistics. The next edition of Maritime Statistics will be published in October 2005. For further information, contact: Mike Sillett at BMT Reliability Consultants Ltd, mike.sillett@bmtrcl.com

MEETING THE DEEPWATER INSTALLATION CHALLENGE

Increases in oil and gas prices and the need to develop hydrocarbon finds in greater ocean depths have given added urgency to the Deepwater Installation of Subsea Hardware (DISH) joint industry project, managed by BMT Fluid Mechanics Ltd.
The DISH project started four years ago to identify and address the challenges of installing subsea oil and gas production hardware in ultra-deepwater, with participants from major industry stakeholders throughout the world. The initiative is focusing on the technology needed to enable the industry to install subsea hardware weighing up to 250 tonnes in water depths greater than 2,000m, without the self-weight limitations imposed by steel wire rope lowering systems. DISH Phase 3 started in December 2004. In an 18 month work programme it is addressing major remaining uncertainties and risks associated with ultradeepwater installation and aims, in particular to provide the technology and confidence needed to design, develop and operate a synthetic Fibre Rope Deployment System (FRDS). The aim is to provide a solution that can be used worldwide in benign and severe environments and can be deployed using conventional offshore construction vessels. Key areas of application include the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, Brazil and the North Atlantic Margin. Installation has become a significant issue when operators assess the practicality and economics of developing ultra-deepwater oil and gas finds. They need confidence that subsea hardware will be installed in a safe and economic manner. Operators will be making major decisions about finds in water depths close to 2,500m in about two years time and studies are currently considering how to develop fields down to 3,500m depth. DISH Phase 3 includes an investigation into fibre rope failure and wear mechanisms, based on a study of

rope samples tested during DISH Phase 2 and a series of new tests to evaluate fibre rope life on sheaves of heave compensators and winches. Phase 3 will also investigate whether in-field rope life management and rope retirement procedures are practical and will assess the extent to which existing and planned FRDS systems meet identified requirements. The work programme also includes studies on subsea hardware hydrodynamics and on the need for heave compensation during lowering. The project has brought together a strong team of major operators, engineering and installation contractors, specialist suppliers and technical experts, all with the common aim of giving the industry the technology and confidence necessary to enable major development decisions to be made in 2006. Participants include oil and gas operators BP, Shell, Statoil and TOTAL, engineering and installation contractors Stolt Offshore, Subsea7 and Technip and specialist suppliers AmClyde, Bureau Veritas, Cortland Group, DSM Dyneema, Honeywell, Marlow Ropes, Noble Denton, ScanRope and Teijin Twaron. OTM Consulting Ltd is responsible for project co-ordination. For further information, contact: Dr Bob Standing at BMT Fluid Mechanics Ltd, rstanding@bmtfm.com

FOCUS ISSUE 2, 2005

FOCUS ISSUE 2, 2005

HELPING TO ASSESS THE IMPACTS OF

OFFSHORE WIND FARMS

Offshore wind energy is anticipated to be a major contributor towards government targets for renewable energy generation throughout Europe and many multinational energy and utility companies are now involved in the market. Despite this there are a number of challenges which must be overcome if offshore wind energy is to realise its true potential. BMT has recently been appointed to lead projects that seek to address two key issues. The first looks at the impact of offshore wind farms on marine vessel safety and the second at the impact of wind farms on the environment more generally.

BMT Renewables Ltd is working with the UK Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) to develop a formal safety methodology for all UK offshore wind farms. Phase one of the project will focus on the UKs round two wind farm projects, for which 15 development leases have been granted to date. The project will see BMT assessing the marine navigational safety risks and emergency response planning requirements in liaison with the UK Government, stakeholders and developers to produce a standard marine safety risk assessment procedure. Developers will be able to use the procedure when taking into account the needs of stakeholders during wind farm development. The project looks at the impact of individual wind farms and also the more complex issues associated with cumulative and in-combination effects of multiple developments. To deal with this, BMT will be employing its broad range of navigation and emergency response planning tools, all of which have been widely adopted and extensively validated by industry.

BMT will carry out extensive consultation to ensure that the assessment procedure it develops is robust, verifiable, auditable and accountable in a local, national and international context. Some round two proposal developers are already engaged in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), including the assessment of navigational risk. The Government, with assistance from BMT, is disseminating guidance throughout the life of the project to ensure that developers are able to address all relevant marine safety issues prior to the submission of their applications for development consent. An initial workshop for stakeholders has already been held. BMT is also carrying out similar developments for other coastal administrations, most recently the Flemish Maritime Administration. These projects place BMT at the heart of navigation, safety and emergency response modelling simulation and standards for offshore wind in North West Europe.

E.ON UK Renewables

BMT Cordah Ltd has been appointed to assess the environmental impact of a proposed 24 million deep water offshore wind farm demonstrator in the North Sea, by Talisman Energy (UK) Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Talisman Energy Inc. Talisman plans to construct the demonstrator wind farm adjacent to its Beatrice field in the Moray Firth, 15 miles off the north east coast of Scotland in partnership with Scottish and Southern Energy Plc. Two wind turbines will be built initially to test new technologies necessary in deep water environments and help determine if large-scale developments of this type are a practical and economic source of renewable energy. BMT will draw on its environmental expertise in the offshore oil and gas and renewable energy markets and on its wealth of detailed local knowledge of the Moray Firth to undertake the EIA. The project will involve an analysis of the three major stages of the wind farms lifespan; construction, operation and decommissioning. It will also

take into account a wide range of socio-economic and conservation considerations. The potential impact of the development on marine and coastal ecology will be analysed, including important species of birds and mammals in the area such as bottlenose dolphins. BMTs contribution to this programme will eventually be considered by the UK DTI. As a result of BMTs work the developers of the UKs offshore wind farms will soon have a standard marine safety risk assessment procedure to use when taking into account the needs of stakeholders during wind farm developments. BMT will also have assisted developers to understand better the environmental impact of wind farms in deep water and determine if developments of this type are a feasible source of energy. For more information, contact Phil Thompson at BMT Renewables Ltd, pthompson@bmtrenewables.com and Owen Harrop at BMT Cordah Ltd, owen.harrop@bmtcordah.com

FOCUS ISSUE 2, 2005

FOCUS ISSUE 2, 2005

MARINE SURVEYING COMPANIES UNITE

TO FORM NEW DIVISION
To ensure that clients receive the highest level of service and benefit from the broad range of experience and skills available, BMT has pooled the services of its three marine surveying companies and formed a new division named BMT Surveys.
The seas have never been busier, with some 50,000 vessels now operating internationally which carry over 90% of world trade. Despite improvements in technology and more rigorous safety standards, a wide range of problems still occur during ship construction, when ships are loading or unloading in port, entering or leaving port and whilst at sea. These often result in fires, collisions, groundings, structural fatigue, machinery failures, damage to cargo or accidents involving personnel. It is unsurprising then that the marine surveying sector is a growing and increasingly important part of BMTs activity. Each of BMTs surveying companies currently provides expertise to reasonably well-defined sectors in the marine surveying market. The Salvage Association, with its well-positioned offices in the worlds main shipping centres, is recognised as the foremost organisation of marine casualty surveyors. The 150-year-old organisation has continually strengthened its service and now has marine engineers, master mariners and naval architects stationed in its network of international offices. While specialising in damage surveys for hull and machinery insurance interests, the companys surveyors are also heavily involved in warranty, liability, cargo, offshore and general consultancy work for underwriters and owners alike. BMT Murray Fenton Ltd is widely known and respected in the protection and indemnity and expert witness markets where mutual insurers and maritime lawyers demand a high degree of experience and expertise. The company has recently launched a specialist yacht surveying service from its Southampton office, offering pre-purchase condition, valuation, insurance and damage surveys, with added-value capabilities such as ship loading surveys, new build approval and technical consultancy. The third company, BMT De Beer bv, is a well established cargo surveying company and is well known in Holland, Belgium and Germany for its expertise in the cargo and protection and indemnity fields. The company also has a marine engineering capability. BMT De Beer has recently purchased new revolutionary infrared thermography equipment for pre-purchase and insurance surveys, appraisal and damage inspections. It has had two of its marine surveyors certified to use the equipment in inspections. The new BMT Surveys division will provide clients with increased access to the experience and skills of BMTs surveying companies which together employ more than 80 marine surveyors (50 marine engineers, 4 naval architects, 15 master mariners and a number of speciality cargo and yacht surveyors) who operate from 17 offices and some 14 other locations around the globe. By pooling its surveying expertise BMT will be able to manage an increasingly demanding workload in the surveying sector, thanks partly to the increasing number of vessels at sea worldwide and the companys growing reputation. The new division will also help to ensure that BMTs clients continue to receive a first class service wherever they are in the world and whatever their particular needs. For more information, contact John Noble at BMT Surveys Ltd, john_noble@wreckage.org

NEUTRALISING THE THREAT

OF POTENTIALLY POLLUTING SHIPWRECKS
In March archaeologists working for the UKs Department of the Environment started to compile the first list of shipwrecks in UK waters. An initial examination five years ago resulted in about 7,000 wrecks being catalogued, but it is anticipated that this figure will rise substantially to between 10,000 and 12,000. This is a major concern given the potential risk of leaks of considerable quantities of oil and other hazardous substances. To help explore the challenges BMT is co-hosting a two day workshop on the issue.
There are more than 85 different types of potentially hazardous or contaminating materials and substances which may be onboard vessels before they sink. These include bunkers, oily waste and residues of chemicals in ships equipment or machinery, stores or cargo, such as lubricating and hydraulic oil, solvents and thinners, chemical refrigerants and battery electrolyte. However, only in exceptional cases are contaminants other than the ships bunkers or cargo recovered from wrecks due to the high cost of the operation and technical difficulties involved. Pollution which does leak from a wreck can have severe environmental consequences. Facing this potential pollution threat represents a complex challenge. Purely environmental considerations may interfere with a series of other problems such as the high cost of these operations, the lack of uniform international regulations and ownership matters which are especially a factor with older wrecks. Limited information available concerning vessels general arrangement and tanks, technical and safety problems including the presence of ammunition and duty of care issues are also important. Worryingly the condition of many wrecks, their rates of corrosion and the environmental threat which they represent are poorly studied on an international level. However, the recovery and neutralisation of shipwrecks and ship recycling is increasingly becoming an important issue for the international maritime community. To help explore the challenges BMT is cohosting a two day workshop on the issue with the European Commission and the UKs Department for Transport for senior European delegates. The objective of the workshop is to develop guidelines and recommendations which can be used at a European level to assess and compare the technical, legal and financial considerations for neutralising potentially polluting shipwrecks, taking into account the various risks over time. It will help delegates decide if a generic approach is appropriate or if wreck specific approaches are needed and what that approach should be. The workshop will look at recent case studies to determine what recommendations, best practices and guidelines can be put in place for the management of potentially polluting shipwrecks. For further information or to attend the event, contact Judy Jubb at BMT Reliability Consultants Ltd, judy.jubb@bmtrcl.com

FOCUS ISSUE 2, 2005

inFOCUS
Faced by a shortage of potential marine surveyors Ken Arnott, Managing Director of BMT Murray Fenton Ltd, highlights BMTs work to attract new recruits into the profession.

WHERE ARE ALL THE MARINE SURVEYORS?

Most marine engineers and master mariners have spent a significant part of their careers involved in the manufacture, operation and maintenance of ships and machinery and it is this expertise and experience which is such a valuable asset to the insurance and legal markets. However, for several years there has been a steady decline in the number of young people choosing a career in the Merchant Navy, which traditionally produces the majority of marine surveyors. This is partly due to the fact that the number of cadetships has significantly reduced over the years. Cadetships are now at a critical level. Consequently there is a serious shortage of potential surveyors and surveying consultancies are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit suitably experienced shore-based surveyors. It is essential that the surveying industry recruits younger staff to revive what is generally accepted as an ageing profession. Like the skilled journeymen and apprentices of times past, these new recruits need to enter industry to gain experience quickly and learn from the wealth of seasoned consultants and surveyors who are approaching the twilight of their careers. They need to become specialists in particular fields, such as navigation and cargo surveying of refrigerated cargoes, grain, oil, gas and chemicals. In engineering they need to develop expertise in areas such as fluid systems operation and control, machinery surveys and failure investigations, repairs, salvage and new build surveys. BMT takes a proactive approach to training and developing its staff whenever possible to meet future needs and encourage staff to reach their full potential. This includes a bursary scheme for selected under-graduates during their three or four year degree course, whilst in the US BMT awards scholarships through the American Society of Naval Engineers. BMT is also committed to funding a merchant navy cadet through the Lloyds Office Cadet Scholarship scheme. With short-term recruitment needs and long-term succession planning now firmly on the agenda of many surveying firms, this type of initiative is vital if the UK maritime services sector is to maintain levels of expertise. For further information, contact Ken Arnott at BMT Murray Fenton Ltd, karnott@bmtmarcon.com