Nigel Gee And Associates Ltd News

BMT Nigel Gee Ltd, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, celebrates 25 years of innovative vessel design this year. Established as Nigel Gee and Associates Ltd in June 1986, by Nigel Gee and John Bonafoux, the company is recognized as one of the world’s leading naval architecture and marine design consultancies. The company has designed numerous high speed passenger catamaran ferries, including the world’s fastest passenger ferry and expanding into the yacht, naval and offshore oil and gas sectors.

The North American high speed ferry market has been slow to develop compared with other areas such as Australia, Europe and the Far East. However, recent developments show the U.S. market is gathering momentum - not only in respect of the number of orders, but also with regard to the speed and sophistication of the ferry designs. This trend was emphasized when, in September 1997, one of the world's largest high speed ferry operators, Buquebus, placed a contract with Derecktor Shipyards in Mamaroneck, N.Y. for a high specification, 300 passenger ferry with a maximum speed of more than 50 knots. The specification for the ferry required a maximum contract speed of over 50 knots and a high level of seakeeping and passenger comfort.

Nigel Gee and Associates Ltd., has been acquired by British Maritime Technology Ltd (BMT). With Nigel Gee’s mix of military, commercial and yacht design expertise, this acquisition will enhance the portfolio of services BMT offers to clients. Roger Swann, Chief Executive of BMT, said: ‘I believe this acquisition will strengthen our capability in both the high speed shipping and defence sector. Nigel Gee and Associates Ltd is an extremely innovative design company and I am confident it will make a significant contribution to BMT.’ Nigel Gee will remain as Managing Director and John Bonafoux as Technical Director. Roger Swann and Peter French, BMT Operations Director (Europe & The Far East), have joined the Board as a director and Chairman respectively.