The MD of GMRS will be taking part in the re enactment of the daring 1942 WWII raid on Bordeaux, Operation Frankton, or better known as the ‘Cockleshell Heroes’. Over 5 days we will, skydive into France, paddle the length of the Gironde, from Pt. de Grave to Bordeaux (100km approx). We will then make […]

A new video promoting the UK as a centre of maritime excellence has been published today.  Presented by Shipping Minister Stephen Hammond, the video includes interviews with some of the biggest names in the UK shipping, ports and maritime business services sectors, explaining why international companies should invest in the UK. The video accompanies the […]

In a swift operation, the Indian Coast Guard has detained a Sierra Leone-flagged vessel with 25 armed guards on board, at Tuticorin. The vessel, ‘Seaman Guard Ohio’ is owned by US-based maritime security firm AdvanFort, but those on board were unable to explain why they had entered Indian waters, reports ‘The Hindu’. ‘The Hindu’ cites […]

Over the past few days the team at Whittaker and Co have been on the phone constantly regarding the news that Maritime Security Guys will not be able to renew or obtain a Seaman’s Discharge Book following the Maritime Convention Law definitions of a seafarer document. http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mgn_471_mlc_definitions.pdf A spokesperson from the following team: Seafarers & […]

Whittaker & Co’s Response to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) Definition of a Seafarer It has recently been brought to our attention that the MLC have re-enforced their definitions of a Seafarer. Their document can be found here: http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mgn_471_mlc_definitions.pdf Firstly when reading this you have to remember that these definitions are made for MLC purposes, […]

Italy says more resources are needed to deal with migrant boats The European Parliament has voted to launch an EU maritime surveillance system aimed at preventing migrant disasters like the Lampedusa shipwreck. The Eurosur data exchange should speed up the EU response to boats packed with migrants heading for Europe. The plan is to launch […]