I could not let Christmas pass without sending you a message of thanks for all your noble, voluntary work on behalf of The Nautical Institute. The branches are an invaluable and integral part of our service to the membership and a key factor in retention of membership as well as the primary role of recruitment.

With the Command Seminar 2014 Series amongst other major projects, not least the mass printing and distribution of The Navigator, this has been a particularly busy year for HQ staff and we were delighted to help launch / re-launch branches in the Maldives, Tasmania, Western Australia, Central Scotland and the Philippines. Other branches that we have yet to visit have also been established, notably in the Oman, and some have celebrated significant anniversaries.

2015 promises to be equally busy for NIHQ staff and for our Officers with the launch of the revised DPO Training Scheme and its new IT platform, Alexis, on 2nd January after 2 years of concentrated work with the industry stakeholders in the Scheme. We will be employing a PR firm with substantial experience in the oil & gas market to ensure the industry (companies and DPOs) realise the full benefits of the Scheme. In addition, we are looking forward to major branch events around the world, including the BC Branch Conference on May 7/8th followed by the AGM 2015 Event hosted by the US West Coast Branch on May 11/12th.
Wherever you are in the world and whether working or celebrating today I and all the staff wish you heartfelt Season’s Greetings and a successful 2015.

With best wishes,
Philip Wake
Chief Executive