Date and speakers announced for the 2012 Shipwrights Lecture


The 2012 Shipwrights Lecture for marine apprentices, young shipwrights and marine graduates will take place on Wednesday 17th October at the Turner Sims Hall, University of Southampton.

The annual lecture offers young people looking to forge a career in the leisure marine sector a chance to meet some of the most important employers in the boating industry.

The first of this year’s lectures will be given by Andy Claughton from the Wolfson Unit, a cutting edge branch of the University of Southampton with world-renowned expertise in the field of ship and yacht design, who will talk about their work on various state-of-the-art hull forms and give an overview of their tank testing and wind tunnel facilities and research.

Sue Grant, Managing Director at Berthon International, will lead a panel of marine experts as they dissect the second hand yacht sales process, looking at how good build practice has a positive effect on second-hand boat values.

Attendance is free for apprentices nominated by their employers and
anyone under the age of 25 who is studying in the marine sector and each
apprentice receives a certificate of attendance.

Alex Bowman, Training Manager at Sunseeker International is an enthusiastic supporter of the Shipwrights Lectures and insists they are an excellent way of adding enrichment to their training programme.

“We will be sending 50 of our apprentices to the lectures this October and I know that all our students will benefit from the exposure to other elements of the UK Marine industry,” he said.

The inaugural event in 2011 attracted over 300 delegates including apprentices from a host of well known British boatbuilders including Princess, Sunseeker, Pendennis, Fairline, Discovery Yachts, SYS, Berthon, Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy and Rustler Yachts.

Michael Derrick, liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, said the programme for the 2012 Shipwrights Lecture promises to be just as thought-provoking and inspirational.

“I’m delighted that so many employers are supporting our efforts by bringing so many of their apprentices to the lecture this October.

“The lecture not only informs and inspires young people but also offers them the chance to network with their peers and some of the industry’s well known leaders which all help to encourage and retain the skills in this vibrant sector.”

For more information see www.shipwrights.co.uk