It’s true that I take every opportunity to proudly inform the world when our company is a supplier to, what are usually termed as, ‘Significant Ships’. That’s because we consider Solar Solve to be a significant player within the global marine industry, along with the naval architects, shipbuilders, ship-owners and the many other marine equipment suppliers of distinction, all of whom play an important part in the creation of these noteworthy vessels.
Upon delivery, a highly skilled team of officers, ratings and very often an additional workforce that can consist of many hundreds of other equally competent experts in all sorts of other disciplines, depending on the vessel type and size, will ensure that the new owners get the best use and financial return on their investment.
I often watch TV programmes about mega-ships and mega sea-going vessels, which are often huge structures that look like gigantic floating oil platforms but often have significantly different roles that can be associated with heavy lifting, pipe laying, windfarm installation, offshore repair, the list is almost endless.
In almost every programme, mention is made of the fact that over 90% of goods that are moved around the world, are moved by sea. A noteworthy fact. They also get the message over very well, in my opinion, that not only is the Merchant Navy no longer exclusively a workplace for men but the females who choose it as a career are usually extremely capable of doing the their jobs exceptionally well.
I am not being patronising here, not in any way. I have been a member of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology since 1961 and a Fellow since 2005. During all of that time the Institute campaigned for more women to take up Marine Engineering as a profession and I have been a great supporter of their quest.
Most of the vessels featured in the TV documentaries had at least one woman officer, navigation or engineering. The programme featuring the world’s second largest crane vessel, the 14,000 tonne SAIPEM 7000 included an extremely dangerous removal of 3 items from a BP oil rig. The biggest item was huge, part of the superstructure and involved a very delicate operation in sea-swells bordering on the maximum safely allowable. The lead project engineer who had been working ashore on the project for a year to ensure they got it right, was a very capable young lady. She had the full attention of the 50 or so team of men who were going to be working together, with her and her team, to make it happen, safely and seamlessly, when she gave a presentation with computer graphics explaining exactly how it was planned and to be carried out.
All of the people were experienced and hand-picked for the job and it was incredible to watch with so much at stake. They had a few scares but it went perfectly.
I have so much faith in women that I have been very happy and proud that 2 of the 3 Board Directors of Solar Solve are women. I am the first to admit that without Lilian and Julie’s input at the Board Meetings and in practice, the business would not be as successful as it always has been.
You can read the whole SOLAR SOLVE SUPPLIES WORLDS LARGEST ETHANE GAS CARRIER News Release here.
John Lightfoot MBE, Solar Solve Chairman
