Archive for August 2009

• 30 August 2009
  Dont forget to vote….
  

  To make your vote for your BMEA Waterside Dealer of the Year and BMEA Product of the Year simply go to http://www.bmea.org/bmea-dealer-and-product-of-the-year/ and make your vote.

  The winning companies will be announced at the British Marine Electronics Association Conference on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at the Novotel Hotel in Southampton

• 30 August 2009
  Looking Forward to the BMEA Conference Day 2009, Sponsored By Victron Energy
  

  The prestigious 2009 British Marine Electronics Association Conference will be taking place on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at the Novotel Hotel in Southampton. The annual event provides an opportunity for all sides of the marine industry to get together not only to discuss topics of mutual interest but also to create and build beneficial business relationships.

  Introduced by Paul Holland, BMEA Chairman, the Conference will include a number of presentations by distinguished speakers. Among the subjects that will be covered are; ‘Galileo and other related e-navigation subjects’ by Dr Charles Dixon, Head of Future Programmes Navigation ANF2, Earth Observation, Navigation & Science, EADS Astrium; ‘Finance Today’ by Tim Gallego from Poundbury Wealth Management; ‘Hybrid Power’ by Ken Wittamore from Triskel Marine Ltd and Johannes Boonstra from Conference sponsors Victron Energy.

  This year’s Conference will be a special occasion as the BMEA will be welcoming its counterpart from North America, the National Marine Electronic Association (NMEA). David Hayden, President of NMEA will be talking about, ‘the benefits of trained engineers to the boat owner, the manufacturer and the decrease in warranty work’. Following the formal Conference day, Steve Spitzer, Technical Director & Dave Morschhauser, Assistant Technical Director of NMEA will give a presentation on NMEA 2000 with a ‘hands-on’ ‘Connect Fest’ demonstration of NMEA 2000 interfacing

  After a full day of conferencing and the brief Annual General Meeting, there will be the Annual Dinner, the day ending with the announcement of three major awards:

  • BMEA Waterside Dealer of the Year Award sponsored by Garmin UK Ltd
  • BMEA Product of the Year Award sponsored by Boating Business
  • BMEA Newly Certificated Technician of the Year Award sponsored by Raymarine plc

  Ian Lockyer (BMEA Marketing) said, ’Our customers will again have the opportunity to choose the industry’s dealer and product of the year by simply going to http://www.bmea.org/bmea-dealer-and-product-of-the-year/ and voting.’ The ‘BMEA Newly Certificated Technician of the Year Award’ will be chosen from a shortlist of newly certificated engineers across the industry. A panel of industry experts will choose the winner. Ian went on to say that, ’this year’s Conference has a fantastic range of speakers with some really interesting subject to talk about. The Association is moving forward with a lot of interesting developments including revitalising their training schemes with the NMEA. It is also great that this year we have the New Technician of the Year Award. Recognising new technicians is very important as they are the future of our industry.’

  The Conference is open to all in the marine industry – and is free for up to 2 delegates from BMEA member companies; additional delegates, and non-BMEA members will be charged £35 per person – to include entrance to all the presentations, coffee, lunch and dinner.

  Any non-BMEA member interested in attending should contact Tony Johns, Secretary of the BMEA by email secretary@bmea.org.

• 30 August 2009
  BMET is changing….
  

  After several years of operation and on the basis of feedback from Industry we have taken the decision that BMET needs to be split into separate qualifications for Electrical and Electronic specialism’s.

  British Marine Federation (BMF) and BMEA (British Marine Electronics Association) have established the British Marine Electronics Technicians (BMET) Scheme to provide a standard for marine electronics technicians. The goal is to give everyone in the marine electronics industry – consumers, dealers, distributors and manufacturers a standard to ensure quality installation and service of marine electronics equipment.  The scheme involves completion of Practical Tasks at your place of work and concludes with an examination. There are two levels, Intermediate and Advanced (Please register interest for the Advanced by emailing training@britishmarine.co.uk)

  BMEA are working closely with National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) to develop a suite of internationally recognised courses and certifications for the Marine Electronics sector and as the first step will be offering a Marine Electronics Installer Course on Tuesday 20th October 2009 at Novotel in Southampton. 

  Further details of the Electronics courses and qualification will be updated on the BMET page of this website .

• 30 August 2009
  Businesses given free access to thousands of new opportunities
  

  The Government is providing small UK businesses with free access to thousands of lower value government contracts. Every small business in the UK will now have free access to thousands of lower value government contracts via the government website (http://www.supply2.gov.uk) to help stimulate the economy.

  For three years, http://www.supply2.gov.uk has advertised thousands of public sector procurement opportunities worth up to £100,000 – making the website ideally suited to small and medium sized businesses.

  The fee that was previously charged to search the site across the UK will now be removed, providing firms with better access to public sector contracts to help their businesses grow.

  Searching for lower-value contracts across the UK was previously only available as part of a commercial subscription service, which costs up to £180 per year.

  This announcement is a move towards delivering on a key recommendation outlined in the Glover Review – that by the end of 2010 all public sector contract opportunities should be accessible through a single, free online web portal.

• 30 August 2009
  Get Running at the Southampton Boatshow..and help the RNLI
  

  The third Southampton Boat Show Bike Night, organised by Boating Business and supported by Premier Marinas and Triumph, is making a slight change this year by adding a 5km run for those who prefer Shanks’ Pony to a Street Triple.  On Wednesday September 16, the bikers and runners are meeting at 19.00 at the Swanwick Premier Marina, roaring or racing off, then meeting up again for a well deserved meal in Valsheda’s at 21.00, costing around £15 per head. 
   
  The run in company is being supported by SailTime and Alice Driscoll PR, and runners can choose from a 5 or 10 km circular route, taking in some of the scenic areas around Warsash.  Both events are being held in aid of charity. The bikers are raising money for Riders for Health, while the runners are working themselves into a sweat for the RNLI.
   
  Nicola Charles is handling the list of participants, so let her know as soon as possible if you want to take part in this leather and lycra extravaganza by calling her on 07956 983 785, or emailing her at nicolacharles76@yahoo.co.uk

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