Welcome to the Sea Vision UK Newsletter for December

As the end of the year approaches, Sea Vision’s central team would like to thank all of its supporters, friends and partners for helping us to promote the value, diversity and sheer excitement of the UK’s maritime sector.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, with all best wishes for 2009

With the New Year in mind, here are two resolutions for you!

1. Be sure to add the details your maritime events for 2009 to the Sea Vision events listings, just click here – it’s very quick and easy and with the number of hits growing every month it is well targeted free publicity!
   
   
2. List all educational material you have produced on the website, just click here. Let’s make this the most useful education resources database in the UK!

And remember to check out the news section of the website for many more interesting stories and articles from across the industry.

New Sea Vision publication

Sea Vision's careers guide Maritime, has just been published for the fourth time. The popular and unique magazine profiles different jobs across the maritime sector.

Sea Vision partner, the National Maritime Museum (NMM), Greenwich is looking for maritime industry professionals to talk to school children as part of its ‘Career Days’ programme. The Museum works with 11-16 year old students to highlight marine environment issues, climate change, sustainable development, and to raise awareness of the maritime sector.

Jubilee Sailing Trust and the Challenger Society for Marine Science have teamed up to offer anyone with an interest in science and adventure the chance to be a part of a fascinating journey around the Canary Islands. The trip reflects the historic voyage of scientific discoveries undertaken by HMS Challenger between 1872 and 1876.

An innovative artist is looking for support for a project to raise awareness and promote conservation of the world’s coastal and marine biodiversity. Silas Birtwhistle is furniture maker and artist working to create a large table and twelve chairs made of driftwood, collected from around the world.

Research matters

EU project ‘Promoting Marine Research Careers’ (PROMARC) aims to encourage more young people to consider careers in maritime research and development. Sea Vision Partner, Maritime Plymouth, as part of the project, is responsible for investigating national and EU schemes to promote the maritime transport sector. John Hepburn, from Maritime Plymouth explains.

The first 2012 Olympic site, Portland Marina, is complete

The first of the 2012 Olympic sites has been completed. Portland Marina has been officially opened by Ralph Luck, of the Olympic Delivery Authority and gold medallist Paul Goodison. The new £21 million 600-berth marina is part of the regeneration of Osprey Quay at Portland, a major marine sector hub on the south coast.

Fishing for Litter removes 117 tonnes of litter

Marine litter is one of the most significant environmental problems yet to be addressed and affects the marine environment on a worldwide scale. Nearly 20,000 tonnes of rubbish is dumped into the North Sea alone every year. Fishing for Litter is an initiative which has been launched to help address the problem and clean up Scottish seas.

Report reveals contribution of marine business

The Crown Estate has published a report entitled: ‘Socio-economic indicators of marine-related activities in the UK economy’. It reveals that the marine economy contributes nearly £50 billion to the UK’s annual GDP and provides 890,000 jobs in areas as diverse as shipping, research, oil and gas production and renewable energy.

Merchant Navy Medal awarded to eleven exceptional individuals

Eleven people from across the maritime industry have been presented with the Merchant Navy Medal, by Admiral Lord West of Spithead at a ceremony held at St Michael Paternoster Royal in London. The medal recognises exceptional service and acts of courage afloat by British registered seafarers of all ranks within the industry.

National Maritime Museum Cornwall wins gold

The National Maritime Museum of Cornwall has won a gold award in the Cornwall Tourism Awards and the same in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards. In both events, the museum won Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category, marking it out as one of the best tourist attractions in the South West.

Falmouth marine students launch new sea kayak

Students on Falmouth Marine School’s Boat Design & Production Foundation Degree have designed a new kayak, based on a traditional design. Tutors at the college are so impressed that the first batch of new kayaks will replace the existing fleet of sea kayaks currently used by watersports students at the college.

And finally, spread the word

If you are a Sea Vision friend or partner please forward this newsletter on to your friends or members. Anyone can sign up as a Sea Vision friend and any maritime organisation or business can join as a partner – it's totally free, just click here.

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