UK/South West England

Welcome to the South West England Branch of The Nautical Institute.

The Branch is among the most active of the UK branches, and is continually hosting and planning new technical and social opportunities for its members from Plymouth to Bristol throughout the year.

Please reach out to the Branch directly for more information, and to get involved!

Next Meeting:

25/06/2026 7:00 - Late

Branch Social Event (All welcome)

Plym Yacht Club, Langs House, The Quay, Oreston, Plymouth, PL9 7NE

ISPS Code Presentation from Paul Symons

'Being Alongside Seafarers and Fishers as a Stella Maris Port Chaplain' - Ann Donnelly

'Mental Health and Mental Wellbeing in England's Commercial Fishing Fleet' - Skylar Collins

'International Maritime Organisation' - Chris O'Flaherty

'Plymouth Sound National Marine Park' - Sam Balderson

Announcements

16 Apr 2026

Plymouth Sound National Marine Park - Sam Balderson

Plymouth Sound National Marine Park – What’s it All About? Plymouth Sound National Marine Park is the UK’s first of its kind, located in Britain’s Ocean City. A big thanks to Sam Balderson, Senior Park Ranger, for explaining how it was created to give more people the chance to experience the sea, connect with it in their own way and feel part of it. The park is getting more people involved and giving them reasons to care – from school sessions to hands-on nature programmes. It invites everyone to enjoy the sea and play a part in restoring what makes it so special.

19 Mar 2026

International Maritime Organisation - Chris O'Flaherty

For our March 2026 branch meeting our members got to hear from Chris O'Flaherty on his work as the Nautical Institute's delegate to the IMO. An inspiring talk on how our members are directly represented on an internation stage. Chris also introduced the institute's STEER project.

19 Feb 2026

Fishers' Wellbeing - Skylar Collins

Thank you to Skylar Collins, a marine social scientist at the University of Exeter, for delivering a presentation to our members on the challenges surrounding mental health and wellbeing in the fishing industry.