Philip Wake, FNI, Chief Executive of the Nautical Institute
Against the backdrop of an industry moving from paper to electronic charts the London Branch of The Nautical Institute recently presented a seminar focused on young seafarers and the challenge of acquiring and combining traditional and technological skills.
Entitled ‘Generation Y – Professional Navigators’ and held at Trinity House, London on Tuesday, 2nd October 2012 the seminar stimulated a lively debate around the attitude of different generations towards the use of marine technology. Other key issues for young seafarers were also aired including the need for a structured career path, proper training and mentoring and how best to achieve a work/life balance. Indeed a particular concern for many of the young attendees was the average length of time they were expected to spend at sea and the impact this was having on their family and social life.
Those speaking at the seminar included Kaushik Roy AFNI, of MOL LNG Transport (Europe) Ltd, Kuba Szymanski FNI, of InterManager, John Bazley MNI, of the Warsash Maritime Academy, and Rear Admiral Nick Lambert, UK National Hydrographer. Also present were a sizeable number of cadets as well as seafarers in the early stages of their career, all of whom took an active part in the discussions, chaired by Peter Hinchliffe OBE FNI, of the International Chamber of Shipping.
Commenting on the challenges facing the maritime industry in relation to Generation ‘Y’ Philip Wake, Chief Executive of The Nautical Institute said: “It is absolutely vital that those of us with more extensive maritime experience make a genuine effort to engage with today’s younger generation of seafarers. There is much we can learn from one another, particularly in the area of technology and navigation. We also need to understand their expectations and aspirations in terms of a maritime career which, in fact, are little different to each of the previous generations although we may forget how challenging our elders found our aspirations in the past. The onus is on us to create a welcoming environment that nurtures and hones their undoubted skills and talents whilst also providing genuine opportunities for career advancement.”
The generation game. Attendees at the recent ‘Generation Y – Professional Navigators’ seminar organised by the London Branch of The Nautical Institute.
The seminar formed part of a joint event with the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) to celebrate World Hydrography Day and saw Dr Hideo Nishida of the Japan Hydrographic Association being presented with the UKHO Alexander Dalrymple Award for his outstanding contribution to Hydrography by UKHO Chief Executive, Ian Moncrieff CBE.
For more information please contact Bridget Hogan, Director of Publishing and Communications at The Nautical Institute on +44 (0)20 7928 1351, bh@nautinst.org
The Nautical Institute is the international professional body for maritime professionals and others involved in the control of sea-going ships and with an interest in nautical matters. It provides a wide range of services to enhance the professional standing and knowledge of members who are drawn from all sectors of the maritime world. Founded in 1972, it has over 40 branches worldwide and some 6, 500 members in over 110 countries.
