UK Marine News
MCA workboat focused inspection campaign 2024 findings
In summer 2024, the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) ran a Survey Campaign focused on Workboat Code vessels in the UK.
Ports around the UK were strategically visited by MCA surveyors, and workboats were surveyed in line with the workboat code (respective editions).
Here is a brief overview of the campaign highlights:
- 255 vessels were surveyed. - 160 vessels were
found to have deficiencies. - 95 vessels had no deficiencies. - 12 prohibition notices were served. - 3 vessels were detained.
The most common areas where deficiencies were found are:
- Expired, incorrectly fitted and poorly maintained Fire Fighting and Life Saving Equipment (212 findings). - 118 Documentation findings and, 52 Machinery findings.
Seawork reports record re-booking for 2026
The 26th edition of Seawork took place over three days from 10-12 June 2025, attracting 454 exhibitors and 7,832 visitors.
Held annually at Mayflower Park in Southampton on the UK’s south coast, Seawork is a European commercial marine and workboat exhibition combining indoor and quayside displays, with vessels and equipment afloat on pontoons, alongside a dedicated conference programme.
Organisers now report that this year saw the “highest-ever number of stand re- bookings” for the 2026 edition, which returns from 9 to 11 June 2026.
Seawork 2025
Exhibitors and attendees at the 2025 show represented over 60 countries, with many senior professionals in attendance, including the CEO of Volvo Penta and senior representatives from John Deere.
Scotland’s Shetland Islands Council awards contract for replacement ferry construction The Shetland Islands Council of
Scotland has awarded Parkol Marine Engineering a contract to build the vessel that would become the new ferry for Fair Isle. Parkol Marine secured the £5.6 million (US$7.7 million) ferry construction contract following a recent open tender exercise.
Work is currently ongoing to finalise the vessel design and
specification, before fabrication of the new vessel gets underway at Parkol’s facilities in Whitby, Yorkshire. The expected handover date for the vessel is October 2026. The requirement is to construct a larger, faster monohull vessel built to modern standards to replace the current ferry Good Shepherd IV, which was built in 1986 in Fife.
The council said the new vessel will comply with the MCA workboat code, be able to carry 12 passengers, and have increased lift-on, lift-off capacity for freight operations.
The event featured live demonstrations, including the all-electric RSD 2513 tug from Damen and RAD Propulsion’s electric RIB, Odyssey 560 Zero. Organisers reported increased visit (dwell) times, with nearly half of visitors making multiple visits across the three-day event.
The current Fair Isle ferry, Good Shepherd IV
THE REPORT | SEP 2025 | ISSUE 113 | 15
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