UK News

An incredible £1 million donation has been given anonymously in support of the TS Queen Mary’s journey back to the River Clyde. The 90-year-old ship, built in Dumbarton, carried 13,000 holidaymakers and was famously visited by the Queen Mother and King George VI. This anonymous gift will “turbo-charge” the refurbishment project as it brings donations to the halfway mark of the £10 million estimate.

Iain Sim, chairman of Friends of TS Queen Mary, is elated with this incredible donation: “Our donations now stand at £4.8million, and we are beyond ecstatic about this anonymous contribution. Continue reading “Anonymous benefactor contributes £1 Million for restoration of the TS Queen Mary”

Sunseeker International has recently announced the launch of a new training initiative to address a national skills shortage affecting the marine industry in the UK. The Sunseeker Skills Academy, developed in partnership with Bournemouth and Poole College, is open to those seeking a career change, offering individuals the opportunity to undertake a fully-paid, 12-week intensive boat-building course.

Successful applicants will learn trade skills across five boat building specialisms, comprising carpentry, plumbing, composite bonding, engineering and electrical installations. Continue reading “Sunseeker launches new boatbuilding skills academy”

The UK Government’s Transport Committee has published a report on the Government’s Maritime 2050 strategy, and calls for investment in new technology, cleaner fuels and workforce training so that the UK’s sector can compete with the world.

This sometimes-overlooked “Cinderella” sector is vital to the UK economy. Approximately 95 per cent of goods by weight come to the UK by ship, and the Department for Business and Trade predicts maritime cargo volumes will triple by 2050. The UK’s sector employs 185,000 people throughout the four nations and contributes £40 billion a year to the economy. Continue reading “UK Transport Select Committee publishes report on Maritime 2050”