Friends and fellow members in Ukraine!

 This message has been a long time coming as I was asked to write it in the summer 2023. Why? It’s not that I don’t want to speak to you or that I don’t care (which couldn’t be further from the truth) it’s simply that, with all the terrible things that are happening at the moment, I don’t know what to say – and for any of you that know me well, you know how unusual that is for me!

I want to tell you all the exciting things that are happening in The Nautical Institute at the moment. The increase in student membership since we made membership free for our next generation of younger career professionals has boosted our numbers. As I write we are approaching 10,000 members, a target we set in our current Strategic Plan but thought at the time may be too optimistic. Targets should be challenging!

Conscious that the fishing industry has a poor record for safety, we have opened our membership to certain ranks of fishers and are engaged in a campaign to raise the standards of safety in our global fishing fleet, an industry that is vital to our very existence. Our CEO Captain John Lloyd is heading this, supported by a strong global team, and we believe we are already making a difference. A long way to go but we have made a start.

I am working hard (outside of my day job as an STS Mooring Master) to ensure that every cadet that wants to go to sea after they have completed their academic studies can sail and complete their statutory sea time to gain their certificate as Officer of the Watch. Another daunting task as there are so many cadets globally trying to get on a ship. We have had some success with this, especially in South America and I will continue to engage with shipping companies and promote the benefits of having cadets onboard, especially on new ships as those cadets will be the Captains and Chief Engineers within the lifetime of the vessel.

But do you want to hear all this? I frequently sail with Ukrainian seafarers, and I know firsthand from talking with you how concerned you are for those back at home. You are worried about your wives and husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends, sons and daughters, and your Mother Country. I flinch every time I hear of missiles hitting your beautiful city of Odesa. I sailed there as a second trip cadet in 1981, an experience I shall never forget, and I know it is where many of you and your families live. 

Stay strong !

As a husband, father and soon to be grandfather, I believe that you are fighting for our future. To those of you at sea or on the front lines, I thank you for your service. Like all things this will pass. Your Nautical Institute is there for you and always will be. HQ is a resource that is available to you as a Member, please don’t hesitate to contact us (in total confidence) if you are experiencing any problems and you think we may be able to help. 

As I did last year when I spoke to you, I will be hoping and praying for “Peace on Earth”. 

Please stay safe and keep in touch.

Andre.