What do you do?
I’m a naval architect by background, leading energy and future fuels business here at NASH Maritime.
I manage various projects within this remit, as well as provide specialist input to many of our wider NASH projects from offshore wind development, bespoke NRAs, quantitative risk assessments of gas or product released offshore or in ports, through to design mooring analysis.
I also provide the key link between NASH Maritime and our wider APEM Group offices in Australia, leading on NASH Maritime's engagement and support on marine matters for the local team.
What drew you to working in this area?
I began my career as a naval architect designing both the structure and internal layout of small to medium high-speed vessels such as workboats, ferries, catamarans, etc.
From there I moved to working with the Australian Navy in ship hydrodynamics – vessel motions and manoeuvrers – and optimisation for their operations.
I then moved into maritime consultancy – principally providing support to ship owners or port operators on moorings, operational impacts, simulation, passage planning and weather limits within port and harbour environments for all types of ships and ports around world.
I also started to become involved in accident and incident technical support for insurance and legal claims, undertaking technical investigations and providing expert witness at court.
Overall, understanding ships and their operations, as well as what can and does go wrong, made me interested in the “why” of things happening.
This led to a growing interest in what can go wrong, what can be done to prevent it, and ultimately steered me towards maritime risk which I’m so heavily involved in now.
What kind of projects are you currently involved with?
As well as being a project manager, with my wide experience and specialist naval architect/engineering knowledge, depending on the nature of perceived risks I am often called to provide my technical knowledge.
Recent projects include:
- Mooring analysis for LNG and LPG ships for a terminal upgrade in North America.
- Quantitative marine risk assessment for a new proposed LNG terminal in the Middle East.
- Passing vessel interaction study on the Thames, London
- Shipping and navigation chapter and related navigation risk assessment for scoping and consenting of offshore wind farms in UK waters.
- Risk assessment for cable laying operations in the Mediterranean Sea.
What's your favourite thing about the work you do?
It must be the variety; the type, style and content of the studies we do, along with the breadth of clients that NASH Maritime works with.
This means I work on a diverse portfolio of projects which leads to regularly experiencing or learning something new – whether it is a new way of delivering, a new perspective, or a new client and meeting their specific needs or answering their specific questions.
Best thing about working at NASH Maritime?
The people at NASH Maritime are fantastic to work with. The staff have phenomenal knowledge, skills and intelligence. I’m often in awe of the technical capability and collaborative approach of the team when faced with a new challenge, and how this is combined with knowledge from our expert mariner staff. Everyone is genuinely a good person too which keeps it fun.
One word/phrase that sums up NASH Maritime for you
Three words: Adaptable, versatile and capable.