Cdr Matt Bolton Symposium Chairman opening the two day event
Over 125 delegates and speakers from Germany, Greece, The Netherlands and the UK gathered recently (16-17 July) in Bristol for the Engine As A Weapon International Symposium (EAAW V), the fifth in the biennial series organised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), an event that was met with broad acclaim and marvellous weather.
The level of presentations and discussion was high, with opening morning featuring a keynote address delivered by Dr Mark Townley, Combat Systems Director, BAE Systems Maritime – Naval Ships, UK on the symposium’s theme ‘Delivering Military Effect: A holistic approach to combat and platform system integration’. Cdr Neil Gibbs and Cdr Jeremy Bailey, Ministry of Defence then responded to the question ‘The Ministry of Defence Marine Systems Development Strategy: A vehicle for fully harnessing the resources we have?’
Another lively discussion rounds off a highly successful day one
Dr Graham Wallis, MBDA then chaired the ‘Future Platform Systems’ session before the networking lunch on the first day, after which Lt Cdr Ian Hassall RN, Ministry of Defence took the chair for the afternoon session on ‘Military Effect’. At the end of the first day a reception and symposium dinner took take place in the magnificent Dining Hall at Wills Hall.
The second day of EAAW V saw Lt Stefan van Osch RNIN, Ministry of Defence, UK chair the session devoted to ‘Complex System Integration’ throughout the morning; and after the networking lunch ‘Future Combat Systems’ came under the symposium spotlight in a session chaired by Oliver Simmonds, GE Power Conversion. The symposium ended with the Symposium Summary by Rear Admiral Nigel Guild CB FREng, Chairman of the Engineering Council and a Past President of IMarEST.
“This is the 5th time that I have had the privilege of Chairing the IMarEST EAAW Symposium, which seems to go from strength to strength, ” says Cdr Matt Bolton RN, EAAW V Symposium Chairman. “Wills Hall is an exceptional venue which provided an exquisite backdrop to a fascinating technical programme and enabled the most vibrant networking. I am extremely grateful to the organising team and all of the contributors for making EAAW V such a resounding success.”
Networking opportunities grasped
Networking is key to a successful event, and in addition to the symposium dinner and lunches, EAAW V got off to a flying start on a perfect British summer’s evening with a barbecue held the evening prior to the opening of the seminar in the quadrangle at Wills Hall, of which Sir Winston Churchill said when he opened it in 1929: “I Winston Spencer Churchill MP, Chancellor of the University of Bristol, Declare there be no Finer Hostel than Wills Hall among the Universities of the British Empire”.
Feedback from participants, who included government, navies and naval procurement officials, at all levels between Lieutenant and Rear Admiral; and from the commercial world a range of companies from prime contractors to SMEs was fulsome in its praise. It included such comments as:
- A great mix of focussed and broad papers and an interesting variety of subjects that wouldn’t have been seen at any other symposia or conference
- Another excellent event, wide range of interesting topics, brilliant networking opportunities and a fantastic venue
- Excellent mix of subjects – best symposium yet!
“It is always a delight to receive such positive feedback at one of our events, ” says David Loosley, Chief Executive of IMarEST. “I congratulate Matt Bolton, his committee and all involved with the organisation of EAAW V, and know that delegates, speakers, sponsors and supporters all look forward to the next event in the series which will be held in 2015.”
Distinguished patrons
Cdre Jan Vos RNlN rounds off two highly informative and entertaining After Dinner Addresses
EAAW V was held under the patronage of:
Rear Admiral Ian Jess, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff Support, Ministry of Defence, UK
Rear Admiral Henry Parker, Director (Carrier Strike), Ministry of Defence, UK
Cdre (WE) Ir Jan Vos RNlN, Programme Manager SPEER, Support Command, The Netherlands
Cdre (ME) Dr Ir Arie Jan de Waard RNlN, Deputy Director of Operational Readiness, Ministry of Defence, The Netherlands
The symposium was sponsored by Babcock International Group, Imtech Marine Ltd and GE Power Conversion (all of whom exhibited at the event) and was supported by the IET, ONR, SNAME and SUT.
About the Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)
The IMarEST is an international membership body and learned society for all marine professionals. The IMarEST (a registered charity) is the first Institute to bring together marine engineers, scientists and technologists into one international multi-disciplinary professional body. It is the largest marine organisation of its kind with a worldwide membership of around 15, 000 based in over 100 countries.
Working with the global marine community, the IMarEST promotes the scientific development of marine engineering, science and technology, providing opportunities for the exchange of ideas and practices and upholding the status, standards and expertise of marine professionals worldwide.
The IMarEST has a growing network of Corporate Marine Partners who benefit from a tailored programme to support each global organisation’s specific requirements. Packages provide companies with a competitive edge by investing in staff and supporting Initial and Continuous Professional Development, supporting local, national, or international promotional programmes, providing specialised recruitment solutions, accrediting training courses, creating bespoke networking events and providing company employees with access to one of the largest online knowledge resources – the IMarEST Virtual Library.
The IMarEST is a respected authority in every maritime country. It is a Non-Governmental Organisation with consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), observer status at the International Oceanographic Commission, and it has special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC), which facilitates its access to other international intergovernmental meetings where its specialized marine expertise is of particular use, e.g., the United Nations meetings on Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) and the work of the International Seabed Authority on marine mining. It is a nominated and licensed body of the Engineering Council (UK), a member of the Science Council and has significant links with many other maritime organisations worldwide.
IMarEST runs a series of industry leading and technically excellent events and conferences as well as publishing internationally recognised publications: Marine Engineers Review (MER); Shipping World and Shipbuilder; Maritime IT and Electronics; Marine Scientist; and Offshore Technology. www.imarest.org
