Earlier this month, HRH Princess Anne visited Plymouth as the city marked the 50th Anniversary of the Nautical Institute with a Conference and Dinner for delegates from around the world.
Hosted by the Nautical Institute’s South West England branch the three day event focussed on the future of the maritime profession at a time of rapid societal change. Delegates heard from a wide range of speakers who provided insight and shared expertise on the challenges and opportunities faced by those in the maritime industry both at sea and onshore.
HRH Princess Anne attended a session of the Conference ‘The Future Professional Mariner’ and heard two papers presented by local companies; ‘New Technologies in Shipping’ by Gary Simpson, Managing Director Support Babcock International, Devonport, and ‘Autonomous Ships – Mayflower 400’ presented by Matthew Ratsey of Marine Ai.
Princess Anne presented a number of awards to members during her visit including to the Institute’s South West England branch Vice Chairman Paul Wright MNM MSc FNI. Paul received a ‘Certificate of Dedicated Service’.
Paul has been involved with The Nautical Institute for more than 40 years and in 1992 was elected a Fellow of The Nautical Institute and in 2013 awarded the Merchant Navy Medal for his ‘services to maritime training and to the Nautical Institute’. Paul has undertaken service as a Council Member and presently is a member of the Nominations and Fellowship Committee. He was lead of the Working Group involved in organising the 50th Anniversary celebrations.
Other certificates and awards presented went to: Captain Robert McCabe FNI for his dedicated service to the Institute, Jillian Carson-Jackson immediate Past President 2020 – 2022 of the Nautical Institute was presented with the President silver plate and Bridget Hogan, retiring Director of Publication received an Honorary Fellowship of the Nautical Institute from Honorary Fellow The Princess Royal.
At the Institute’s AGM, held on the second day of the event, outgoing NI President, Jillian Carson-Jackson handed over to incoming president Captain André L Le Goubin MA FNI. Captain Goubin has early career connections with Plymouth having been the location for where he was introduced to the Nautical Institute during a two week deck cadet induction course at the, then, School of Maritime Studies. Past Nautical Institute Presidents also had strong links to Plymouth including Commodore Nick Nash FNI (2018 – 2020), Captain James Robinson DSM FNI (2010 – 2012) and Captain Roy Hughes MBE FNI (1984 – 1987).
The three day event included a celebratory dinner at The Box. Guests including Plymouth’s Lord Mayor and Luke Pollard MP were treated to a pre-dinner ceremonial display from Royal Marine Drummers and Buglers and Rear Admiral Chris Parry CBE PhD was the After Dinner Speaker.
Sponsors of the three day anniversary celebrations included OneOcean, BP Trading and Shipping, Carnival Corporation, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Chevron, Anglo-Eastern, Ashley Chartering and international companies with a substantial base in the south west of England including Babcock International, MLA College, Serco, University of Plymouth, Boskallis Westminster, Turnchapel Wharf, Thomas Miller Law and Plymouth Gin. Cattewater Harbour Commissioners were a leading local sponsor and provided sponsorship for cadets to attend the three day event.
The Nautical Institute 50th anniversary will continue to be celebrated around the world for the rest of the year at different locations.
