Dozens of good reasons to be at Seawork 2009

This 12th annual staging of Europe’s pre-eminent commercial marine exhibition and conference looks set to be another record breaker, topping the 6,527 visitors and 450 exhibitors from more than 40 countries which attended in 2008.As is always the case with Seawork, Jane Wilson’s hard working team have been planning and organising year round to polish the event and bring new dimensions to it.

Piracy has been much in the news over the last year, whilst port and inshore security remains a concern of the Harbour Masters and other port managers who attend the show. Seawork has responded quickly by launching a Maritime Security Pavilion, which is being supported by the Association of Police and Public Sector Suppliers (APPSS), the Exclusive Economic Zone Interest Group (EEZING), the Defence Manufacturers Association (DMA), and the new UKTI Defence and Security Organisation (DSO). Captain Stephen Taylor has been working with the Seawork team as a consultant to help create the new Pavilion. Participating companies will be able to demonstrate security equipment such as underwater detection and boat stopping devices on the quayside and in the water. Outdoor demonstrations will be announced by the new ‘Sound-To-Go’ public address system which will be showcased at Seawork for the first time this year.

Also new for 2009 is a re-invention of the Seawork Gala Dinner, which moves to the opulent DeVere Grand Harbour Hotel. Again sponsored by ZF, the event takes place on Tuesday evening, 16 June, giving exhibitors and their guests a chance to unwind, relax and continue networking following the bustling first day of the show. An evening of good food and wine is capped by the usual after diner entertainment and presentation of the Spirit of Innovation Award for the most exciting new product, vessel or project entered in Seawork’s Innovation Showcase. The Showcase and Awards are co-sponsored by Marine South East and the University of Southampton. Additional new features at the 2009 Gala Dinner include free on site parking and a private entrance for guests as well as a hotel bar staying open after dinner into the early hours.

Seawork entertainment does not conclude with the Gala Dinner. Party Time has been added for 2009 and on Wednesday evening, 17 June, Seawork will take over the Orange Rooms in Southampton for a Las Vegas style evening featuring feather-clad showgirls, roulette tables, boogie on the dance floor or quiet, chilled out bar areas. A maximum of 400 tickets are available at only £10 each.

Despite the many new dimensions, the backbone of Seawork remains the hundreds of exhibiting companies filling the Canary Islands Fruit Terminal, spilling onto the quayside and extending onto the show’s unique floating pontoon where upwards of 60 workboats will be berthed. No other event gives prospective workboat buyers the opportunity to test and compare a range of vessels side by side all in one day. It is for reasons such as these that Seawork’s list of sponsoring organisations includes the British Commercial Boatbuilders’ Association, the Commercial Boat Operators Association, the National Workboats Association, the UK Maritime Pilots Association, RINA, the RNLI, and the UK Harbour Masters’ Association.

With many Seawork exhibitors already supplying or supporting the fast growing Marine Renewable Energy sector, the Seawork Conference will focus on this subject on the Tuesday afternoon. The British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) and the Renewable Energy Association are supporting Seawork again, providing speakers who will deliver papers of particular relevance to vessel builder/operators and marine contractors.

Marine contractors are finding Seawork to be of ever increasing value to the extent that a new Marine Civils Pavilion will appear at Seawork 2009, giving a focal point for those requiring the services of civil engineers, marine construction contractors and dredging companies. Returning Pavilions include the Maritime Training & Careers Pavilion, the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Pavilion, the Fluid Power Pavilion, the UK Spill Pavilion, the Small Business Enterprise Zone, and the show within the show which is DiveWork. The Marine Engine and Equipment Manufacturers Association will have a Members’ Lounge at Seawork 2009.

The launch at Seawork 2008 of the UK Trade & Investment Inward Buyers Mission resulted in 122 scheduled meetings between Seawork exhibitors and commercial buyers from overseas. That successful addition to Seawork returns, with the addition of commercial officers from UKTI worldwide accompanying international buyers around the show. Buyers from the UK Ministry of Defence small boat and equipment procurement section also return for Seawork 2009 and will run their free ‘How to do business with the MoD’ seminar. They will also have a presence at the new Maritime Security Pavilion.

New for 2009, the MoD is joined by international defence attaches on the Tuesday. For a small charge, exhibitors can showcase their products within the UKTI Pavilion on pull-up or table top displays.