The National Workboat Association, a trade association for the owners and operators of workboats, has awarded the John Percival Memorial Award for the first time, to George Turpin, an apprentice at offshore energy support vessel operator Seacat Services. The award recognizes young talent in the UK’s expanding workboat industry, in commemoration of the late Captain John Percival’s efforts in marine training and education. The award will be presented to George at the NWA Dinner, during Seawork 2016 in Southampton.
As the owners and operators of workboats undertake an increasingly diversified program of activity within coastal and international waters, it’s imperative that the sector attracts and retains new talent through enhanced apprenticeship programs.
This was the mission of Captain John Percival, whose sailing school, located on the Wirral Peninsula, continues to offer a full range of tuition and support to the international maritime market. Following John’s death in 2014, the memorial award was introduced to reflect the National Workboat Association’s continued efforts to support the development of apprenticeship schemes throughout this rapidly expanding sector.
“As the offshore markets, particularly within the North Sea, continue to evolve, it’s imperative that operators continue to invest, not just in equipment and vessels, but also in the quality of support that’s provided on a daily basis by crew,” said Ian Baylis, Managing Director, Seacat Services.
“The National Workboat Association has formally recognized this need in its creation of the John Percival Memorial Award and we’re delighted to hear of its decision to present the award to George this year. George’s hard work and commitment, as well as his strong technical ability, has set him in exceptional stead for an outstanding career at sea. His achievement reflects the positive impact that apprenticeships can have on companies working within this sector,” he added.
“The fact that John [Percival] has made such an impression on this long established industry, is testament to his commitment to training and development of crew,” commented Anna Percival-Harris, daughter of John Percival and Managing Director of the JPMA/Hoylake Sailing School.
“John had been heavily involved in the development of a new workboat specific Certificate of Competence. He worked tirelessly with the NWA and MCA for several years to develop a training pathway for Workboat Masters, and this was launched a few months before he passed away in March 2014. He would be so proud to know that he is still valued and remembered by an industry to which he was so committed,” she said.
The National Workboat Association said it is committed to those vessels mainly built under the MCA Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Small Workboats, known colloquially as “The Workboat Code”. As part of this commitment it acts as the liaison and focal point with key industry regulators and stakeholders. The John Percival Memorial Award is awarded annually.
