The Nautical Institute
The Nautical Institute is the international professional body for qualified seafarers and others with an interest in nautical matters. We provide a wide range of services, including publications, training and conferences to enhance the professional standing and knowledge of members who are drawn from all sectors of the maritime world.
Our work is available to the whole industry to help improve the safety and
efficiency of shipping, and our position as a global, membership organisation
places us perfectly to see the true significance and value of shipping – across
the entire world.
Shipping is of course vital to international trade – without the means to carry finished goods, raw materials and fuel there is no way that we could live as we do today, with food and luxuries and with the comforts of heating or air conditioning. Take a look around you – what would you have without ships? The answer…not a lot!
For too many people, the only time they ever see ships is in the event of an increasingly rare accident. In reality shipping is one of the most environmentally friendly forms of transport there is. It is comparatively quiet, fuel efficient and can lift huge volumes of cargo with relatively little impact on the environment.
When you are next driving on, or walking alongside your nearest main road, take a look at the goods being shifted along it and think how much better your area would be if they could be taken by ships on the sea, or along rivers or canals.
As we have seen, ships are vital to trade and to our everyday lives and
should be used even more – but just as important are the people who
work with, and on them.
From Officers, crew, lawyers and trainers there is a vast range of great careers both at sea and ashore for anyone wishing to join this amazing and interesting industry.
If you can see yourself stood at the wheel of an immense tanker, or visiting places you had never even heard of, then a profession in shipping is for you.
People from all over the world and many varied backgrounds work within the shipping industry – with the common ground being that they are professionals with the skills and respect that comes with that.
World Maritime Day exists to spread the message about the great role that ships play, and to proclaim that without the maritime industry modern life would be practically impossible.
The Nautical Institute is delighted to be associated with this wonderful day of celebrations, onboard the fine vessel HQS Wellington – but while the World Maritime Day events are a fitting salute to shipping, it is vital to remember that every hour of every day ships are moving the things you need, to the places you want them.
For more information on ships, the people that allow them to operate or to find out more about the work of The Nautical Institute please visit our website www.nautinst.org