11 October 2006

BMEA Annual Conference 2007-06-27

Over 80 delegates applied to attend the BMEA Conference, now an annual event and incorporating the AGM and Dinner. The day proved the best yet! Both James Grazebrook of Halyard (M + I) Ltd and Richard Acland of B & G Ltd said it was the best Trade Association Conference they had ever attended.

Tim Christie, BMEA Chairman,welcomed everyone and introduced Sarah Dhanda, BMF Director of Training to talk about training in general and how only around 4% of Federation members took up the facilities offered. Julian Coleman of Boat Electrics & Electronics expanded on the BMET certification and was followed by Derek Gilbert, Customer Services Manager of Raymarine who stated that by 2008, all his company’s Agents would have to employ BMET Certificated engineers and that this will be the future.

“Let’s get the Show on the Road” – the updated London Boat Show was presented by David Lewin and a very interesting and positive presentation it was too! David enthused over all the work that had and is being done to make the show a ‘day out’ rather than an exhibition for existing boating enthusiasts. The updates included such items as a fog tunnel where radar could be tested, an anchoring display showing how and how not to anchor. The main hallway between the two halls would be much more appropriate to a nautical theme and there were many other new displays to attract the public.

“The Outlook for the UK Economy for the Coming Year” was presented by Jeavon Lolay, Senior Economist from Lloyds TSB Bank. He gave a very succinct and clear view of the year to come. Our thanks to him for giving the time at short notice. Those present seemed to appreciate his expert knowledge of the UK’s financial situation.

“Lean Manufacturing and its Place in the Future“

James Grazebrook has been involved with lean manufacturing for quite some time. He explained in depth the enormous lengths he and his company had gone to and considered worthwhile to maximise the efficiency of the production line as well as minimising wastage of both material and time. His presentation was well illustrated and showed the changes they had incorporated.

James was followed by Bob Watts of Groves, John & Westrup Insurance. Bob detailed their Neptune Policy and its versatility, the policies being tailored to suit each client’s business needs. As he said, this results in really worthwhile savings in premiums.

It was then time for Sarah Dhanda,BMF to present the BMET Certificates for those engineers employed by some of our Waterside Dealers. This was the first of such occasions and is very much an indication of the need for engineers who install and service both electrical and electronic equipment on vessels to have visible proof of their experience and abilities from the customers’ point of view. Previously while such staff may have academic qualifications, these do not necessarily relate to the ‘real world’ situations that they find themselves in while working afloat. Shown below are Julian Coleman and Andy Haines receiving certificates on behalf of their staff.

Winding up the day, the Association’s Annual General Meeting was held and followed by the Dolphin Inspection Scheme AGM. Tim Christie took the Chair, handing over to Danny Jones with Tim having completed three years. Our thanks to Tim for all his time and the work he had put in over that period. Similarly, Brian Ash who had been Treasurer for more than 16 years, stood down but will remain an Executive Committee member for the coming year.

Tim thanked all those who had attended and the feeling was definitely a day worth remembering and an event to attend in 2007. With the Annual Dinner to come later in the evening, members dispersed to the bar or their rooms for a break. During the Dinner, there were still two awards to be presented. Firstly, Waterside Dealers present had voted on their choice of the ‘Product of the Year’ and this was won by Offshore Systems (UK) Ltd and taken by Bruce Coward, MD. Runners-up were Dolphin Maritime Software Ltd with their AIS package and Raymarine with their E series Display able to show both AIS and Navtex. The trophy was kindly supplied and presented by Peter Nash, Editor of Boating Business. Similarly, McMurdo Ltd had sponsored an award for the ‘Waterside Dealer of the Year’ and this was voted on by manufacturers and distributors, being won by Greenham-Regis Marine Electronics. A close run competition.

Our Gratful thanks to Groves, John & Westrup as Headline Sponsors and of course Navico, McMurdo, Tacktick, Boating Business, BMF, Regis Electronics (St Lucia) and Garmin (Europe), between them kindly sponsoring the Dinner and trophies. Without their support, the day would not have been possible. Voted a highly successful and worthwhile day by those present, we hope that next year we shall see many more of our members.

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