2013 Conference

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2013 Conference

– The 2013 British Marine Electronics Association Conference took place on Wednesday, October 16th, 2013 at the Novotel, West Quay, Southampton. This annual event provides an opportunity for all sectors of the marine industry to get together not only to discuss topics of mutual interest but also to create and build beneficial business relationships.

Introduced by Derek Gilbert, BMEA Chairman, the Conference included presentations by well known speakers. John Adey, President of ABYC, gave an interesting overview of their work with comparisons with the UK.

He made the point that in terms of training, our apprentice schemes are far ahead of the US and congratulated us on this approach. Dr Martin Unwin, principal GNSS engineer from Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd gave a very comprehensive overview of the new Galileo European satellite navigation system. Pointing out the fact that GPS is now quite dated, he discussed an extended list of facilities that this system would be able to carry out over and above navigation. Additional carrier frequencies and today’s technology will allow not only seriously increased positional accuracy but also enable the system to take part in SAR, additional to COSPAS/SARSAT. Gavin McGee, senior investment consultant for St James Wealth Management gave an amusing but relevant overview of today’s needs for personal savings to provide decent pensions.

A return visit by Keith Longman, Berthon Boat Company, updated the delegates with emphasis on their award winning apprenticeship schemes that allows the company to provide employment as older staff retire, something that is very important to all industries.

Chris Harris, sales manager from MG Duff Ltd had been requested to give a detailed overview of corrosion matters and how this natural phenomena can be minimized in the marine environment by using the best materials and protecting them from natural corrosion under water. Finally, Ken Wittamore discussed his views on government and EU based grants that were available for development work especially when related to ‘green’ use of energy.

The Association’s AGM approved a new constitution, name (BMEEA) and logo, the latter two making it clear that the Association was a specialist group within the Federation and provided expertise in electrical supplies and its on-board distribution, additional to all the electronics that has been the mainstay of the Association since its inception some 25 years ago.

Apprentice Electrical Competition

Kane Watts and John Smyth

For the first time, the Association organised an electrical competition aimed at young apprentices coming into the industry. This was won by a team of two, Kane Watts and John Smyth currently employed by Oyster Yachts and being trained by Southampton City College. Seen here is Kane Watts receiving the award on behalf of the team

Retirement award

Ian Lockyer

A special award was given to Ian Lockyer who, after more than 10 years, has had to retire from looking after the BMEEA website, BMEA Direct the on-line magazine he developed for the Association and many other related activities. Derek Gilbert thanked Ian on the Association’s behalf and presented him with a suitably engraved tankard which we are sure will be put to good use

At dinner, three major awards were announced:

> ‘Newly Certificated Technician of the Year’ – sponsored by Raymarine

> ‘BMEEA Waterside Dealer of the Year’ – sponsored by Garmin.

> ‘BMEEA Product of the Year’ – sponsored by Boating Business

Newly Certificated Technician of the Year

Robert Stone

The BMEA Newly Certificated Technician of the Year Award, sponsored by Raymarine plc, was given to Robert Stone from Boat Electrics and Electronics Ltd, seen here with Derek Gilbert, current Chairman of BMEA

Waterside Dealer of the Year

Ships Electronic Services Ltd

The BMEA Waterside Dealer of the Year Award, sponsored by Garmin UK Ltd, was awarded to Ships Electronic Services Ltd. Presented to Simon Wood for SES Ltd, Bob Fry of Garmin Europe Ltd did the honours

Product of the Year

Actisense – EMU1 Engine Monitoring Unit

The BMEA Product of the Year Award, sponsored by Boating Business, was presented to Phil Whitehurst of Actisense by Tim Morgan of Dyfed Electronics, the incoming BMEEA Chairman.

The product that Actisense had developed and for which the award was given is their EMU1, Engine Monitoring Unit, interfaced using NMEA2000.

October 14, 2018August 30, 2025

2015 Conference

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2015 Conference

– Yet another great Annual Conference, well attended and with a variety of presentations from electrical power supplies, the Internet and its future control from domestic devices, to complex marine electronics, insurance matters to B2B marketing, the use of hybrid power and propulsion for energy support vessels and the design of RNLI lifeboats to last 50 years!

John Adey, president of ABYC and at the last minute unable to fly over, had sent his presentation to be delivered by Paul Holland of Energy Solutions UK Ltd on John’s behalf. Andrew Webster of Mercator Media dealt with B2B marketing and was followed by Paul Sumpner of Digital Yacht who provided a fascinating look at the way the Internet is moving to provide amazing and intelligent remote control of products from domestic to high tech marine electronics.

Russ Coxon, Senior electrical & electronic engineer for the RNLI provided video demonstrations of the latest lifeboat designs fitted with complex flat screen displays to enable the total control of comms and machinery from any part of the craft.

David Melville and Chris Foyer of Fischer Panda discussed in detail the benefits of variable speed generators and the resultant high efficiencies. Andy Page of South Boats talked about the development of energy support vessels, their flexibility using hybrid power, He was followed by Mike Jeffrey of G J W Insurance with a light-hearted look at insurance for the maritime world.

> ‘Newly Certificated Engineer of the Year’ – sponsored by Raymarine

> ‘BMEEA Dealer of the Year’ – sponsored by Garmin Europe Ltd.

> ‘BMEEA Product of the Year’ – sponsored by Boating Business

The apprentice team competition was won by Ashley Cobb and Will Hicks, again from Sunseeker Interational Ltd, presented here by Nigel Vincent of Victron BV. The apprentices are studying at the Bournemouth & Poole College

Newly Certificated

Engineer of the Year

Simon Ward

The ‘Newly Certificated Engineer of the Year’ sponsored by Raymarine UK Ltd and presented by Derek Gilbert was won by Simon Ward of Selcraig Marine Ltd.

Dealer of the Year

Landau UK Ltd

For the second year, Landau UK Ltd won the ‘Dealer of the Year’ award received here by Chris Doran of Landau from Nick Meadow of Garmin Europe Ltd

Product of the Year

Yacht Surfer – YachtSonic on-board internet system

The ‘Product of the Year’, sponsored by Boating Business was presented by Peter Nash to Warren D’Souza of Yacht Surfer with their YachtSonic on-board internet system.

October 14, 2018August 30, 2025

2016 Conference

2016 'Newly Certificated Electronic Technician of the Year'

2016 Conference

– The BMEEA regrettably had to cancel its annual Conference and AGM planned for October 2016 at the RNLI headquarters in Poole, so chose to present the annual awards at the following Committee meeting and AGM held on the 30th November at Marine House Egham.

We are delighted to confirm the competitions for:

> ‘Newly Certificated Electrical Technician of the Year’ – sponsored by Fischer Panda

> ‘Newly Certificated Electronic Technician of the Year’ – sponsored by Raymarine

> ‘BMEEA Dealer of the Year’ – sponsored by Garmin.

> ‘BMEEA Product of the Year’ – sponsored by Boating Business

These were all awarded at or shortly after the AGM. We were delighted to receive a new award from Fischer Panda, especially for the ‘Newly Certificated Electrical Technician of the Year’ as

We firmly believe that training and qualification are both key to raising standards within our industry and offering our customers ever better levels of support and performance, particularly as products become ever more complex and integrated into vessels.

It is indeed heartening to see the commitment and focus of companies on the development of staff and resources, as we all know, people are our best asset.

Newly Certificated Electrical Technician of the Year

Barry Marson

Barry Marson (right) of Richardson’s Leisure Ltd receiving the award as ‘Newly Certificated Electrical Technician of the Year’, from Barry Fower, MD of Fischer Panda UK Ltd who sponsor this new award.

Newly Certificated Electronic Technician of the Year

Rachel Oliver

Rachel Oliver (left) of Osprey Technical Consulting Ltd receiving the award as ‘Newly Certificated Electronic Technician of the Year’, from Derek Gilbert, of Raymarine UK Ltd who sponsored this award.

Dealer of the Year

Landau UK Ltd

Derek Gilbert presenting the award to Chris Doran (left) of Landau UK Ltd, sponsored by Garmin Europe Ltd. Landau has won this award for the third time.

Product of the Year

Icom UK Ltd – IC-M25EURO handheld VHF

Boating Business sponsor the ‘Product of the Year’ award, won this year by Icom UK Ltd for their IC-M25EURO handheld VHF. Award received by Ian Lockyer (right) of Icom

UK.