Propeller Club London

How not to miss the boat - Iain Chalmers of SERCO

On Wednesday the 27th of October Iain Chalmers Divisional Operations Director, of SERCO providing us with a glimpse of the intricacies of maritime supply.  Prior to getting his feet wet in the maritime industry Iain was a high flyer with the RAF as Tornado Squadron Commander and worked for the MOD in Strategic Influence and Information Operations. With a number of members connected on one side or the other to the challenging game of marine supply the debate was animated and enthusiastically contributed too by those present. Iain gave us an enjoyable session and plenty to talk about at the bar afterwards. Having managed a squadron of Tornados and wrestled his way around the MOD a joust with a bunch of landbased mariners was pure recreation. A good time was had by all!

Trinity House: A shining example for Britain and the World

On Monday evening 30th June at the Naval Club before an appreciative group of members and guests Commodore S J (Jim) Scorer RN Director of Operations for Trinity House delivered a highly informative and entertaining synopsis of this august body; from ancient brotherhood to contemporary leader in technology and managerial concepts in coastal navigation.

Moving through a period of more than 700 years Jim's eloquent dissertation featured colourful stories from Henry VIII's charter (1514) to the adoption of space age technology with legend and folklore thrown in to good effect.

From those early times Trinity House lead the world in caring for travellers around our coasts and today still sets the pace in innovation and performance.

The special status of Trinity House caught the imagination of the group who interrogated Commodore Scorer with questions that continued long after his presentation and later into the bar.

The consensus was that Trinity House is a rarity in modern Britain - a world-class organisation built on traditional values that has been "hiding its light under a bushel".

Commodore Scorer recently elected an Elder Brother of Trinity House is obviously committed to enlightening his audience who responded with generous applause lead by Lord Greenway also an Elder Brother and Past President of the Propeller Club.

Supper at The Naval Club with guidance from Trinity House

Commodore S. J. (Jim) Scorer, Royal Navy.

Our distinguished speaker for Monday evening's dinner at the Naval Club is Jim Scorer Director of Operations at Trinity House, and an Elder Brother of that august organisation. While there have been a few changes since Henry VIII first gave Trinity House its charter Jim will no doubt bring us up to date with a few of the stories that give this famous organisation its special place in maritime folklore.

Event details:

Date:         30th June 2008
Time:        18:15 for 19:00
Venue:      The Naval Club, 38 Hill Street, London W1J 5NS (Map)
Cost:          £39.50 per person (includes dinner)

Booking:   Reserve your place by email (secretary@propellerclublondon.org.uk)
                 stating the names of attendees and any special dietary requirements

                 Bookings close 24 hours prior to the event

Payment:  Payment by cash or cheque at the event

To make sure that you and your guest(s) don't miss this interesting and convivial event book your place NOW by either clicking the email link to David or by sending in your cheque for £39.95 per person

Let Jim Scorer be your guiding light!

29th May 2008—Ian Adams, IBIA Secretary General

Our speaker, after the AGM, is Ian Adams, Secretary General of IBIA and a long standing member of the club.

The International Bunker Industry Association is the maritime industry’s body concerned with all aspects of fuel so there will be no shortage of contentious issues for Ian to address. As many of you are familiar with Ian from his attendance at meetings I am sure that you will be looking forward to discovering what really goes on in the bunker barges and behind closed doors in the tribunals and arbitration hearings. Quality issues, emissions, oil spills and not least of all prices are impacting everyone in the industry and IBIA is at the centre of this debate.

Ian has been involved in the Shipping Industry since 1985 when he joined P&O Cruises as an Engineering Cadet serving both at sea and in the Technical Department. 

After a brief spell in Petrochemicals he returned to the Marine Industry proper as a Service Engineer with Deep Sea Seals, overseeing the installation of stern seals in dry-docks all over the world.  Ian then joined Hamworthy KSE as a Sales Executive, responsible for Sales in the UK, Greece and latterly Cyprus. 

Currently Ian is Secretary General of The International Bunker Industry Association based in the UK.  Ian is a Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology, having served as a Council Member, and is a Vice President of the Southern Joint Branch (UK).

Event details:

Date:         29th May 2008
Time:        12:30
Venue:      The Naval Club, 38 Hill Street, London W1J 5NS (Map)
Cost:          £39.50 per person (includes lunch)

Booking:   Reserve your place by email (secretary@propellerclublondon.org.uk)
                 stating the names of attendees and any special dietary requirements

                 Bookings close 24 hours prior to the event

Payment:  Payment by cash or cheque at the event

Amanda Butcher, CEO of the Jubilee Sailing Trust

On the 18th of March 2008, we enjoyed the inspiring presentation of Amanda Butcher, CEO of the Jubilee Sailing Trust, telling us of the work the charity does promoting the integration of disabled and able-bodied people through sharing the challenge of sailing.

The Trust has two specially designed and built Class A square rigged tall ships, (the “Lord Nelson” and “Tenacious”).

The ships operate worldwide and the opportunity to sail is available to anyone aged 16 or over; they are currently the only two tall ships in the world that sail with a crew of mixed ability of which up to 8 can be wheelchair users.

As well as operating the ships, the Jubilee Sailing Trust has an important fundraising and corporate partnership division which raises the funds necessary to achieve the charitable mission.

Amanda regaled us with tales, not only of the sea, but also of her personal experiences as Wing Commander in the RAF and followed the presentation with a lively Q&A session in typical Propeller Club style.

   

The JST ship “Tenacious” and Wheelies Aloft!

 

 

 

 

Barbara Weston’s Comment:

The JST has turned me back into a person and lifted the title 'disabled' that has been hanging over me for some 12 years. The JST has helped rebuild my life. It is such a shame that it can't be put on prescription as I know I am just one of the people that the JST has helped.

Annual Club and ABS Dinner

During the evening of 27th February 2008, we once again enjoyed the sponsorship of the American Bureau of Shipping who hosted our annual dinner with a keynote speaker and many distinguished guests.

The main dining room of the Naval Club provided the hospitable venue for a hearty dinner and a robust speech from Mark Brownrigg, Director General of the Chamber of Shipping.

Mark provided a convincing report on the progressive state of British shipping with an impressive array of facts and examples of successful initiatives over recent years.

William Sember, President of ABS Europe, thanked Mark and our guests for supporting this event and expressed his wish to continue the event next year.

From left to right:

Jim Bellew, President, Propeller Club London

Mark Brownrigg, Director General, Chamber of Shipping

William Sember, President, ABS Europe

David Randell, Secretary, Propeller Club London

NB: Click on picture for larger image.

Additional photographs of the evening can be seen here