Maritime Advisory Boards

Matt Bowden

Chair

As a Company Director and the General Manager at Red Penguin Marine, Matt delivers the effective, smooth running of the Red Penguin Marine group, its projects and engagement across the global subsea sector.  Recently he has been involved in advice on global subsea telecommunications cables and interconnectors, and the first US Offshore Wind project in Martha’s Vineyard. 

Throughout a 25-year maritime career he has acquired a panoply of both operational and strategic experience in the subsea cable industry and the military, commanding at sea and latterly ashore at the UK’s Middle East Communications and Information Systems Headquarters.  His Royal Navy career saw him specialise in communications, electronic warfare, and surveillance systems; this technical expertise sees him advise and consult for international military and civilian agencies, as well as multiple UK Government Departments. 

More recently he has worked in the private maritime and military sectors, advising multinational and small to medium sized companies on maritime technical innovation and all aspects of marine telecommunications across subsea, space and ground segments. 

A dynamic decision maker, influencer, and transformational leader able to recognise and address organisational challenges, he ensures Red Penguin responds to customer demands and ever-changing external factors.  His involvement with CHIRP stems from a desire to further improve safety at sea and the accountability of companies and nations to their seafarers.

Lt Cdr David Carter MNM

Vice Chair – Full Time Reserve Service Royal Navy

Captain David Carter MN joined Shell Tankers (U.K.) Ltd as Deck Cadet in 1980, gained his Master’s certificate in 1992, command in 1998 and continued with Shell as Master until 2012.  During his last four years with Shell he was lead master of the Qatar Gas LNG fleet, having stood by, delivered and performed the first cargo on the first Q-Max LNG carrier MOZAH, the largest gas carrier ever built.  He followed this with two 2014 commands with Dynagas in new build Ice class duel fuel diesel electric LNG carriers built for the Arctic Northern Sea Route transits.

He is a Bachelor of Laws, Younger Brother of Trinity House and MNI.

He has been a Royal Naval Reservist since 1997, latterly sailing in MOD chartered commercial shipping as an RN Liaison Officer until September 2014 and is now Lieutenant Commander on Full Time Reserve Service as the Royal Navy’s Merchant Navy Liaison Officer.

David Appleton

Professional and Technical Assistant, Nautilus International

David joined Nautilus International in 2013 having previously worked as third officer for Princess Cruises and Deck Cadet for Maersk Line.

He holds a BSc in Maritime Studies (Merchant Shipping) from the University of Plymouth and an OOW Unlimited ticket.

Olly Alexander

Head of Safety, Royal National Lifeboat Association

Captain Dennis Barber

Principal Consultant, Marico Marine

Consultancy in Marine related projects including Navigation risk including ships, harbours and offshore energy installations, Shipboard Operational Risk and Accident and Incident Investigations.

Providing Technical Advice to the Parliamentary Select Committee, Legal Practices including in court (Expert Witness) and IMO Technical Committees.

Regulatory Ship Inspections for Bahamas Maritime Authority. Investigations of Marine Accidents and Incidents for Bahamas Maritime Authority and Loss Assessment of Insurance.

Andrew Bell

Senior Business Development Manager – Maritime Surveys, BMT

Senior Business Development Manager – Maritime Surveys, BMT

Andrew joined BMT in 2023 and works with their Marine Incident Investigations, Surveys and Consultancy team.  He previously spent seven years with a leading international law firm conducting casualty investigations and providing technical advice across the marine and international trade practice.  He also spent six years with Zodiac Maritime, engaged with the Safety Management of their large fleet of tankers, container ships, car carriers and bulk carriers.  He served 13 years as a deck officer with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, on operations with most vessel types worldwide, before a period in fleet management at Navy Command HQ in Portsmouth.  He started his career with 8 years as an officer in the Royal Navy, followed by a spell involving trials of new build warships and work on a small research vessel and a large motor yacht. He holds a valid Master’s Certificate of Competency and a Graduate Diploma in Law obtained part time from BPP University, London. He was elected a Fellow of the Nautical Institute (FNI) in 2013.  Outside of work, he has served as volunteer lifeboat crew on the Thames at Teddington since 2002

Cor Blonk

Secretary of Labour Affairs – Pelagic Freezer-trawler Association (PFA)

With a background as safety and fire safety expert, Cor Blonk started his career in the fishing industry 20 years ago in the position of Secretary of Labour Affairs of the Dutch Pelagic Shipowners Association of high sea fisheries and the Pelagic Freezer-trawler Association, a European pelagic shipowners association.

In his profession, Cor is involved in a large spectrum of crew related topics, such as collective bargaining agreements, implementation in national legislation of international legislation as IMO STCW-F, ILO Work in Fishing Convention and EU directives, safety and health on board.  He was the initiator and is secretariat of the Fishing industry Safety and Health Platform.  Furthermore, he is a key stakeholder from the side of the fishing industry with respect to maritime education and training in The Netherlands.

Cor has been involved in the development of IMO/ILO/FAO Safety Recommendations for Decked fishing vessels of Less than 12 metres in Length and undecked fishing vessels, took part in the negotiations on the Work in Fishing Convention at the ILO in 2004, 2005 and 2007 and is a member of the Dutch delegation to IMO HTW for the comprehensive review of IMO STCW-F during HTW 3, 4, 5 and 6 and during the negotiations on the Cape Town Agreement.

Voirrey Blount

Alan Cartwright BSc MA CEng FIMarEST FIMechE

Director, Blabey Engineering Ltd

Alan Cartwright is Director of consultancy Blabey Engineering Limited.  He served in the Royal Navy from 1975 until 1998 in a variety of sea appointments, including Senior Engineer HMY Britannia (1991-94), and shore postings including marine gas turbine R&D (1987-89) and warship refit superintendent (1996-98). 

As Head of Marine Engineering to the Port of London Authority (1998-2013), Alan updated fleet operations and provided engineering advice to the PLA’s executive and main boards.  He also supported the UK ports’ sector, the UK DfT and the MCA on a variety of legislative, technical and environmental issues.

Recently Commercial Manager at Warsash Maritime Academy (2014-2017), he developed specialist training packages and managed all tracts.  At international conferences, Alan chairs discussion on a variety of maritime subjects, as well as advising industry bodies and UK Government departments on competencies, safety and standards for seafarers and ships.

Alan is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the IMechE and the IMarEST, a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights.

Captain Don Cockrill MBE

A chartered master mariner, Younger Brother of Trinity House in London and a Fellow of the Nautical Institute, he commenced his maritime career in 1973.

Following eighteen years of a commercial seafaring career during which he progressed from cadet to master specialising in petrochemicals, he joined the Port of London Authority as a pilot in 1991 and retired in December 2019. He held various pilotage related positions with the PLA including VTS port controller and pilot simulator training lead.

During his pilotage career he held the posts of Chairman of the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association and its Secretary General.  During much of the same period he was a Technical Adviser to the executive management committee of the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA).

He also represented IMPA in various PIANC working groups, researching and producing reports on: the design of Harbour Approach channels; the integrity Maritime Simulators; Impacts of ships on fixed structures, Climate Change Adaptation planning for ports and Impacts of ships on fixed structures.

In addition to advisory work with a number of high level commercial bodies, he has held a number of posts with organisations engaged in training pilots world-wide. A long standing member of the CHIRP MAB, he is also a member of the MASRWG and the MCA chaired MASSpeople group.

Most recently he is volunteering with the charity Mercy Ships as a fund-raising speaker, awareness ambassador and maritime adviser to the UK management office, focussing on building relationships between the charity and the UK maritime community at all levels.

Dr. Jonathan Earthy

Human Factors Coordinator, Lloyd’s Register Foundation

22 years’ experience as Principal Human Factors Specialist for Lloyd’s Register coordinating Human Factors/Ergonomics/Human Element technical capability and marine product development.

UK delegate for ISO TC159 since 1985, editing Human Centred design process standards.

Previously a Consultant for BP.

Robert Greenwood

Safety and Training Officer, National Federation of Fishermen`s Organisation (NFFO)

Appointed to help supply a safety culture within the fishing industry, Robert is responsible for liaising closely with the NFFOs partner organisations such as the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Department of Transport to ensure new safety legislation is practical for those working at sea.

Originally from a fishing family in Selsey, Robert joined the federation following 14 years as a sea safety instructor at industry authority, Seafish.

Aseem Hashmi

Master, QM2

Nick Hough

International Marine Contractors Association

Nick supports the work of the IMCA Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE) Committee. He holds a NEBOSH General Certificate in occupational safety and health and is responsible for all IMCA Safety Flashes and safety statistics, and for supporting the development of safety promotional material and guidance.

Before joining IMCA in January 2005, Nick had a career as a Chief Observer or senior survey engineer in offshore seismic survey. Nick has a degree in Physics and Geology and a HNC in Electronics and started work with Seismograph Service Ltd (SSL) in 1988, continuing to work offshore all over the world with Geco-Prakla and WesternGeco until 2004.

Caroline Jupe

CEO, International Marine Rescue Federation

Captain Nitin Kochhar

QSHE Leader and Master Mariner

Maritime QHSSE & Sustainability Leader driving safety and operational excellence across global shipping.

Commander Nik Lucocq 

Commander Gavin Marshall RN

A Chartered Marine Engineer, Gavin is currently the Head of the Operating Safety Group with responsibility for the day to day safety management of the Royal Navy’s surface ships.  Having served in the RN for 17 years he has fulfilled a range of roles including Chief Engineer (MEO) at sea, operability engineer for the new aircraft carriers, post maintenance and capability assessment through delivery of marine engineering trials, performance assurance for a class of ships and engineering training delivery.

Gordon Meadow

CEO, SeaBot Maritime

Paul Naranjo-Shepherd

Director of Whitehorse Maritime Group

Dr. Claire Pekcan

Director, Safe Marine Ltd

Dr Claire Pekcan is a Director of Safe Marine Ltd, a consultancy specialising in maritime human factors.  Claire has a PhD in safety at sea from the University of London and a master’s degree in occupational psychology.  

Formerly a Professor of Maritime Applied Psychology at Warsash Maritime Academy, she was a key member of the research team at Warsash for 20 years, and contributed to both HORIZON and MARTHA projects on seafarer fatigue.  Claire sits on a number of shipping industry working groups, including the Human Element working Group (HEWG) of IMarEST, the Human Element Advisory Group (HEAG) of the UK MCA, and she is also a technical consultant to the Human Element sub-committee of Intertanko.  She was an advisor to the UK delegation to the IMO sessions on the revision of the fatigue guidelines in 2016 and 2017.

Captain Hywel Jones Pugh MNI

Chairman UK Marine Pilot Association

Joined the Port of London as a trainee Pilot in Sept 1999, Authorised in February 2000. Prior to coming ashore worked as a Captain/Offshore Installation Manager on a Flotel North Sea and Gulf of Mexico.

My day job involves Piloting the largest vessels into the port and in the summer of 2020 Piloted the then largest Container vessel HMM Algeciras on its maiden voyage.

I am also a Simulator operator and Trainer and sit on the Ports training Panel.

Clive Rees

Marine Surveyor, Charles Taylor & Co

A Master Mariner and Marine Surveyor with over 30 years sea-going experience in all ranks on Bulk Carriers, General Cargo and Tanker vessels, with over 18 years as Master on Cape and Gearbulk carriers and General Cargo vessels.

He has extensive ship-handling experience in a variety of different sized vessels and extensive experience in the loading, carriage and discharge of a wide range of Bulk and Break Bulk Cargoes.

Deborah Sims

Deborah Sims is a specialist in leadership and human performance with over 25 years of experience in military aviation and behavioural training. Her career began with a 16-year commission in the Royal Navy as a Warfare Officer, where she developed a deep understanding of operational aviation and the human factors that underpin safe and effective performance. As a Fighter Controller and Air Director, she worked closely with pilots, deck crews, and command teams, gaining insight into the pressures faced across the aviation environment. Her expertise spans aviation operations, stress and decision-making, and behavioural dynamics in high-pressure settings. She has designed and delivered training for military and civilian organisations, including instructional techniques for the RAF and cultural awareness for tri-service personnel. Deborah combines technical aviation knowledge with a strong grasp of interpersonal communication, listening, and rapport-building, skills essential for supporting CHIRP’s confidential reporting and safety improvement mission. She brings a unique blend of operational credibility, behavioural insight, and training design experience, making her well-suited to contribute to CHIRP’s work in promoting safety, just culture, and human factors awareness across UK aviation.

Dr. Suzanne Stannard

Sue gained her medical degree from the University of Birmingham in 1995 and has a clinical background in Acute Medicine, Anaesthetics/ITU and Paediatrics.

She worked as a Ship’s Doctor for P&O Princess and was later Medical Director at Carnival (UK) Cruise Lines with responsibility for the on board and shore side medical departments, all medical staff and the Public Health Department.  Sue was also Medical Director (Assistance) at International SOS in London overseeing all medical assistance cases.  These included evacuation and repatriation flights, monitoring of medical cases overseas and providing medical advice to leisure and business travellers, expats and companies.

Sue is currently a Consultant at the Norwegian Centre of Maritime and Diving Medicine in Bergen where her role includes the training of Doctors in assessment of the fitness of seafarers and offshore workers, international liaison with other maritime authorities within Northern Europe and research.  She is also the Editor of the third edition of the Textbook of Maritime Health.

James Stride

Chief Harbour Master, Port of London Authority

Captain John Wright

Managing Director, WrightWay

As a ship’s master and marine superintendent, he has first-hand experience of dealing with the adverse consequences of fatal accidents. He understands the importance of having an inclusive, proactive and company-wide safety culture, which more than fulfils the needs of retrospective legislation. His passion for safety is equalled by his desire for inclusive working practices to form the backbone of an organisation’s culture in the pursuit of business excellence.

Since founding WrightWay, his team has been delivering management and safety training courses as well as providing consultancy services worldwide for 15 years. Their clients are predominantly from the marine and oil industries, and include BC Ferries, the Carnival Cruise Corporation, V.Ships, BHP Billiton and Total Exploration & Drilling. The company has also worked for organisations in the pharmaceutical, aviation and construction sectors.