Students Win Top Spot at the Marine Apprentice of the Year Competition

The top spot was given to students from Bournemouth and Poole College competing in the Seawork Commercial Marine and Workboat Show in a competition in Southampton on Thursday, 13th June.

The competition; the 13th of its kind, is run by the British Marine Electrical and Electronics Association (BMEEA). It welcomed 18 pairs of Bournemouth and Poole College students competing for the overall title, from seven companies in total. The winners were: (1^st) Christopher Street and Connor Chabaani (Sunseeker).

Seawork, hosting the awards for the second year, saw students represented from the following companies: Sunseeker, Platinum Marine Services, RNLI, Atlas Elektronik, Berthon, Cobra RIBS, and Oyster. The electrical task for the competition included the design, calculation, regulations, and wiring-up of a marine electrical circuit. 

The assessment was based on whether the circuit worked correctly and included both drawing the wiring diagram and cable calculations based on a real installation. On their website, Seawork commented that: “A very high standard was achieved with little to separate the top three teams.”

Winners Chris Street and Connor Chabaani will now be put forward as finalists for the newly announced British Marine Apprentice of the Year Award which will take place later this year at the Southampton Boat Show. 

Phil Sayles, Principal of Bournemouth and Poole College said; “For our students to win the first prize is such a great personal achievement for the winning students. I cannot commend the lecturers for their teaching and the students for their utmost dedication enough. Congratulations to all who won and those who also took part. This is a fantastic result for our college in this year’s round of the competition.”

Derek Gilbert, Chairman of BMEEA said: “It is exciting to see the motivation, the skills and the knowledge these apprentices bring to the industry and they should be reassured that they all have a stimulating and rewarding future.” 

He added: “I believe they have a very secure career in front of them, loaded with opportunities as the industry moves towards electrification and other de-carbonisation technologies.  It is clear the capabilities the apprentices have learned under the ever-watchful and wise tutelage of their lecturers will stand them in good stead as they develop their specialisms and begin to work in the marine industry.  One can only but be impressed by the apprentices this year we have had the good fortune to observe and feel confident that the industry is in good hands as it expands and develops in recognition of the eco-sustainability era we now find ourselves in.”

Bournemouth and Poole College wishes to thank all involved in this fabulous event, including Fiona Pankhurst, who organised the competition on behalf of Seawork and the BMEEA, Derek Gilbert, of Raymarine and BMEEA chairman, Erin Welsby from CK Tools who supplied prizes for the students, Paul Holland and Daniel Cox from Energy Solutions (provided the equipment and judged the competition), and Ian Lewis from Weidmüller who both attended and supplied prizes. We’d also like to mention Richard Broden-Cowell, (Lecturer in Marine Electrical & Electronic Engineering and BMEEA committee member) who organised the event on behalf of the college, Steve Russell (Marine/Automotive Engineering Lecturer) and Shawn Silcock (Technician) who both helped to staff the event. Peter Leech, Learning Manager, (Automotive-Boatbuilding-Composite-Marine) was also present on the day to assist with the smooth operation of the event. 

The British Marine Electrical & Electronics Association, BMEEA, comprises manufacturers and waterside dealers who provide advice, sales, installation and service of marine electrical and electronic equipment.