Building on the success of the DiveWork Pavilion and RIBWork Trail at Seawork 2005 International, Seawork 2006 International will see the introduction of the Fluid Power Pavilion, supported by the British Fluid Power Association and the Ship Building & Ship Repair Pavilion in association with the SSA. Some 14 companies have already committed to exhibiting  in the Fluid Power Pavilion and the list continues to grow, as the BFPA and many of its members see rich opportunity within the commercial marine sector. Membership of the Ship Builders’ & Ship Repairers’ Association includes companies which design, build, repair, refit, maintain and convert ships and all will be represented in their Pavilion. Special discounted rates are available to members of the BFPA and SSA wishing to exhibit.

Reflecting Seawork’s increasingly international status, the Italian Exhibition Service has agreed to promote an Italian Pavilion this year, providing facilities for Italian companies working in the commercial marine industries. All three new Pavilions as well as DiveWork and RIBWork will have individually themed colour schemes for carpeting and fascias and hospitality areas with  refreshments where exhibitors can meet with their guests in a convivial setting.

New caterers for Seawork 2006 will provide bespoke service for such occasions. Also new at Seawork 2006 International will be UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Meet the Buyer Sessions, enabling small builders of workboats and other exhibitors to get onto a level playing field with the big boys in placing their product or service in front of the people who are responsible for making purchasing decisions on behalf of the MOD.

Slots are limited for this fantastic opportunity, with a maximum of 20 sessions over two days (14 and 15 June), each session lasting 20 minutes at most.

Interested companies should contact kskinner@seawork.com. A £50 deposit is refundable after the event, ensuring that those who book a slot actually turn up. Officially, they will be meeting the UK MOD Minor Warships, Auxiliaries and Boats (MWAB) Integrated Project Team (IPT), responsible for the purchase of all workboats, small craft, associated auxiliary equipment, SOLAS life saving gear and clothing for all MOD purposes.

An unprecedented third conference room is being provided for these MOD Meet the Buyer Sessions.

Conference Room 1 continues to host the popular, informative and free to attend Seawork Conference sessions, which span all three days of the show.

A themed programme on the Tuesday morning (13th) focuses on fishing and includes a  presentation on ‘Saving Fishermen’s Lives’ by Ian Benham, the RNLI’s Fishing Safety Manger. The afternoon session covers European Seaport Policy, ISPS Compliance, and High Speed Craft Risks and Regulations amongst others.

The Wednesday morning session  is dedicated to Composites & Lean Manufacturing while on Thursday morning the focus shifts to Marine Renewable Energy, with a session opening overview by Michael Hay, Marine Renewables Development Manager for the British Wind Energy Association.

Seawork is the natural and popular venue for a number of marine trade association functions and over the course of the three days, Conference Room 2 will host events of the Association of Diving Contractors, the Commercial Boatbuilders Association, the International Institute of Marine Surveying, and the UK Harbour Masters’ Association. In addition, the British Marine Federation Breakfast Meeting and the National Workboat Association AGM will take place on board a VT Halmatic vessel moored on the Seawork floating pontoon.

The jolly Seawork Gala Dinner on the evening of the show’s first day is now a well established tradition. Returning to banqueting facilities within the modern Friends Provident St Mary’s Stadium, the ZF Marine sponsored event provides an excellent opportunity for exhibitors and their guests to network and relax in an informal atmosphere with good food, fine wine and an  entertaining after dinner speaker.

The 500 capacity venue has always sold out, so again contact kskinner@seawork.com to grab those few remaining tickets.

The Seawork 2006 International Innovations Showcase, sponsored by Marine South East, is again open to all exhibitors. New and innovative products which have appeared on the market since Seawork 2005 will compete in the categories of Vessel Design & Build, Electronics, Safety, Vessel Equipment, Marine Civil Engineering, and Underwater Technology. The overall winner will receive the magnificent Spirit of Innovation Trophy at the Gala Dinner.