More than 80 delegates from the BTA membership and wider industry gathered to align around shared priorities and drive practical improvements across the sector.

Geert Vandecappelle, CEO of Boluda Towage Europe, was appointed Chairman during the AGM, reinforcing a continued focus on advancing operational safety, responding to regulatory change and supporting a more efficient and responsible towage model.

BTA Awards

The event also recognised the people shaping the sector. Mara Kruze of Svitzer was awarded Tug Trainee of the Year, for her outstanding commitment to her career to date and Captain William (Bill) Evans, former Inspector at the Marine Accident Investigation Branch was awarded Tug Personality of the Year. Bill was unable to attend the event in Liverpool, but sat down with BTA Past Chairman Mike Paterson to reflect on his career within the sector and you can watch in full here.

UK Chamber President Karrie Trauth encouraged delegates, during a speech to the Gala Dinner, to champion maritime careers and better communicate the opportunities the industry offers.

The Conference programme combined insight on workforce development, operational practice and future opportunity. Fleetwood Nautical Campus set out the role of modern apprenticeships in building a skilled pipeline of new recruits, while Sanmar Shipyards, as Conference Sponsor, shared lessons from five decades of tug building and operations. Brookes Bell clarified the role of the Special Casualty Representative and the realities of modern salvage, while Penningtons Manches Cooper, alongside Michael Howard KC, used a mock arbitration to bring complexity of a salvage award via Lloyds Open Forum to life. The Deputy SOSREP examined the challenges of floating offshore wind, highlighting the growing role for towage in supporting this emerging activity.

The BTA also launch of the second edition of its Rope Selection, Procurement and Usage Guide, now including guidance on the gog system, further reinforcing our commitment to safer operations.

The BTA and UK Chamber are grateful to all the speakers for their time and insight and give thanks to sponsors UZMAR Shipyards, Sanmar Shipyards and Damen Shipyards, without whom the event would not be possible. A comprehensive report will be made available in due course. 

Looking ahead

The BTA will be hosting an Operational Safety in Conventional Towage seminar the morning of Wednesday 10 June at Seawork. Hosted aboard Svitzer’s tug IBEX, the session will focus on the key operational factors influencing conventional towage safety. Using practical examples supported by simulation footage, the session will highlight operation interaction, with particular emphasis on preventing unsafe conditions such as girting and promoting best-practice approaches.

Please also save the date for 5 November for Annual Safety Seminar at City of Glasgow College. 

For more information on how to join these events, please contact Robert.