UK Marine News
BAE Systems begins building shipbuilding academy in Glasgow
BAE Systems announced construction has begun on a new Applied Shipbuilding Academy at its Scotstoun shipyard on the banks of the River Clyde in Glasgow, as the company bolsters its efforts to develop future talent.
Designed to support the development of the entire workforce, from apprentices to senior leaders, the Academy will comprise of a Modern Trade Hall and a Flexible Learning Hub. It will also serve to upskill the existing workforce while attracting new talent. A historic industrial building will be retrofitted to become the Modern Trade Hall, with areas dedicated to each shipbuilding trade, ship-realistic mock up environments and research & technology facilities. Immediately adjacent will be a Flexible Learning Hub, containing more than 30 classrooms, a STEM innovation lab and office facilities.
On completion in the second half of 2024, the Shipbuilding Academy will provide bespoke training for almost 4,500 employees, including nearly 700 apprentices. These new facilities will also enable a substantial expansion of the early careers programs at BAE Systems, doubling the intake in Glasgow to more than 200 new apprentices each year.
Irish company develops boat with deck made of solar panels There are many electric boats, both big and small, that can be
charged in whole or in part from solar panels. But those photovoltaic cells are normally on the roof or roofs of the boat – or in the case of the Sunreef 80, actually integrated into the composite materials of the entire hull.
Waterways Industrial, based in Northern Ireland, has a different take. Their Gridbeater Amphibian pontoon boat is propelled by an electric outboard that charged from solar panels on the Gridbeater’s deck. Richard Bell of Waterways Industrial told Carlton Reid of Forbes magazine “Unlike other glazed solar panels, these have a covering that enables them to be walked on and hence suitable as a deck material.” Bell said the solar panels are made to a unique design by a small Chinese company with whom Waterways has a working relationship on other products.
Inland waterways heading to net zero
UK politicians at Westminster were updated recently on how the UK inland waterways industry can work towards achieving net zero on leisure craft. The event was hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways (APPWG). Its chairman Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield, welcomed speakers Bowman Bradley, chairman of the IWA/RYA/Cruising Association Joint Working Group and Simon Lawford, technical sales and renewable fuels manager of Crown Oil.
Boaters, representatives from boating organisations and other interested parties attended virtually via Zoom and were given the opportunity to ask questions following the presentations.
Although electrically powered boats are increasingly being built and those using diesel as fuel will reduce in number, over the long term very few existing boats would be converted to electric drive which is expensive and quite a big job.
Waterways specializes in off-grid solar panels and nomadic solar power stations for multiple applications. They also offer solar panels for boats and houseboats, and the idea of putting solar panels on boat decks grew out of that.
Caudwell and ZF form technical partnership
UK propulsion specialist Caudwell Marine has teamed up with ZF, the German engineering firm, to enhance the performance and capabilities of its new 300hp, V6 diesel outboard engine.
As part of the technical partnership, ZF has developed a twin-clutch transmission system that seamlessly integrates with Caudwell’s purpose-built, turbo-charged V6 diesel powerhead and axis-drive steering system with dual propellers.
The agreement extends even further with active involvement in the assembly of Caudwell Marine’s lower unit. Whilst the lower unit is Caudwell’s own design, with related IP, the connection leverages ZF’s vast experience in precision manufacturing.
“We have been thrilled to embark on this technical partnership with ZF. Initial design and development discussions started some years ago and our relationship has grown and grown as we now reach the point of series product units,” said Peter Ordway, commercial director at Caudwell Marine.
THE REPORT | MAR 2024 | ISSUE 107 | 17
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