Captain’s News
I must begin this by apologising for my absence from lunches recently. Unfortunately some of my other activities in the maritime sector have meant I have had to be elsewhere. These are challenging times with reviews being carried out into many areas of activity and it is essential that the maritime world's voice is heard.
Recruitment numbers in the industry continue to hold up well. Having reached a high in 2007/8 of nearly 1,000 UK Cadet starters, numbers unsurprisingly dropped back in recession hit 2008/9 to about 750 - however this is still more than double the numbers of a few years ago. 2009/10 looks like being about 750 as well so we still have a reasonably healthy intake.
I recently chaired an industry wide meeting at Trinity House to look at routes to entry across the wider industry (inland waterways, tugs, superyachts etc) and barriers to movement. This was well attended and very useful. A copy of the press release has been sent to you in a previous email.
Next week I take over as Chairman of Trustees of the Marine Society and Sea Cadets which will be both a great honour and challenge. As you know this is one of the organisations we sponsor - and with over 13,000 young people as members it is of great value both to them and society in general. Unfortunately this probably means I will miss even more lunches!
