Bill Walworth News

The Maritime Skills Alliance (MSA) has welcomed the strong focus on skills in the Maritime Growth Study published this week. Nine of the 18 recommendations relate to skills and education, placing far more emphasis on skills than there was in the initial brief. Speaking after the MSA Board had considered the report, Chairman Bill Walworth said: “I served on some terrifically impressive ships in my time with the RFA, working with some truly impressive equipment, but we all know that counts for nothing without the right people, properly trained. We are delighted to see Lord Mountevans giving such high profile to attracting and training the next generation of seafarers, and to helping people to prepare for their next steps when they come ashore.

'Tide-class' the name given to four new Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) tankers to serve as part of the RN's fleet replenshment programme. The 37,000-tonne ships will come into service from 2016 to replace the RFA's single-hulled tankers, and will maintain the Royal Navy's dedicated bulk fuel replenishment at sea capabilities. The 200-metre long tankers will also be able to carry helicopters and will support Royal Navy warships deployed around the world. Head of the RFA, Commodore Bill Walworth…