Seaways Focus - June 2025
A bright future
By Captain John Lloyd FNI Chief Executive
I am so pleased our technical conference in Dubai gave us the opportunity of hearing and learning from industry leaders on the challenges of today and tomorrow. My thanks to all the session leaders, moderators and speakers.
Ms Taif Alrayssi – Maritime Transportation Cadet, Sharjah Maritime Academy; Ms Mariam Essam Alshaikh, Deck Cadet, Bahri Ship Management; and Mr Ibrahim Mohammed Alabdulkareem, Deck Cadet, Bahri Ship Management were amazing participants. It was wonderful to hear the enthusiasm of these new entrants to the industry, to hear reassurance of the support they are receiving on board and how they are working effectively with more senior and experienced colleagues.
I was so pleased to learn that the women, in particular, could project such a positive message of their career choice, the industry and the opportunities that lie before them.
All the cadets realised, even at this early stage, that seagoing appointments are only the start of their maritime profession. They are filled with excitement and curiosity about the doors that will open for them with professional qualifications and sea-going experience. They were all a credit to their employers and their colleges – Well done.
“It was wonderful to hear the enthusiasm of these new entrants to the maritime industry.”
The Annual General Meeting itself provided the ideal platform for the Chair of our Board, Graham Cowling, to share the results of a successful 2024 and the progress we continue to make against the objectives of the Strategic Plan. In particular, the doubling of total membership numbers in the past four years is a sign we are ‘on message’ with the maritime community.
For me one of the highlights of the AGM is the announcing and presentation of the award of Fellowship of The Nautical Institute. Fellowship recognises those senior members who have made a great contribution to our maritime community and we are delighted to recognise their service.
President Trevor Bailey was, of course, central to the proceedings and ran an excellent meeting before being a gracious host at the reception held at the Dubai International Seafarers’ Centre. Thanks to all those who joined in person. There was a great turnout from the branch and conference delegates, and a good number joining us online.
In addition to events such as these, our publications remain a central asset for our community engagement throughout the year. One exciting forthcoming publication is Bridge Resource Management book, from which we include an extract in this edition of Seaways. Bridge resource management is one of the key ways in which we help ensure safety of navigation, enabled through effective leadership and communication supported by effective use of technology. While our existing BTM publication has focused on technical skills, the new publication is more focused on the teambuilding and management aspects. These ‘people skills’ are central to the ethos and values of our maritime community and help develop the right attitudes in our mariners. Equally importantly, they are transferable skills when people move ashore for the next phase of their careers. The skills and attitudes that mariners develop while at sea can provide the foundation for a great career that continues right across the maritime domain.