2019 News
18/12/2019
A big thank you to the Titanic Hotel Liverpool for accommodating the SeaKing Groups annual Christmas party!
Enjoying the theme ‘A White Star Christmas’ our team had a great night of festive fun including; a full Christmas dinner and a live choir singing the BEST Christmas classics.
16/12/2019
We are very proud to congratulate our Communications Manager, Malcolm Stein who has successfully completed his Master’s degree. Malcolm tells us about his motivation behind finishing his studies and how it positively contributes to his role at SeaKing.
“I feel it has made a difference in how I approach work in general, it has definitely changed my perspective. I was also able to explore a keen interest of my own in Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of my dissertation. It was amazing and also a little bit frightening to see the changes and potential changes that AI is already bringing about in industry and society. Within SeaKing I look forward to taking on the challenge of addressing the opportunities and threats that AI will to the traditionally conservative Marine Industry and managing them more effectively than our competitors. Using the understanding of leadership, change and learning from my MBA I hope to develop the work started in dissertation in a substantial AI project shortly.”
15/12/2019
2019 has been a host for many successful projects with The SeaKing Group, amongst the most recent -our contribution to The Irish Sea Pioneer refit. Playing a vital role as an offshore support vessel, operating all year round in England’s Coastal waters; the Irish Sea Pioneer underwent a full refit. The team’s input included a power management system upgrade, accommodation improvements and new ladder racks to resolve an ongoing problem for the jack-up legs.
Our innovative solutions supported this project, ensuring the vessel functions safely.
12/12/2019
Due to The SeaKing Group’s continued business growth, this quarter we are pleased to welcome four new Electrical commissioning engineers and one CAD/ Automation engineer. Strengthening our services team will enable us to confidently go into 2020, supporting our clients in the Naval and Superyacht markets.
05/12/2019
Luxury yachts have been decorating our seas since the beginning of the 20th century. The architecture and engineering have massively evolved, pushing the boundaries, and keeping up with the demands of the next generation owners.
We spoke with Martin Sealeaf, CEO of The SeaKing Group, to find out his thoughts on building Superyachts for the next generation.
Read the full interview Meet the Expert Q&A
01/12/2019
Even though the Superyacht season is coming to an end for 2019, our specialised service team are still travelling the globe as trusted engineers. This year we have responded to many superyachts and December is turning into a very busy month of completed projects including three 90M, and one 60M. The team have also been busy designing the installation of 28 Ocean LED underwater lights on a 76M prepped for December 2020.
Contact the team for all enquiries enq@seakinggroup.co.uk
28/11/2019
We are delighted that The SeaKing Group will be celebrating 20 years next year, of building a successful and well-established electrical engineering business. The team are proud of their ongoing contribution offering specialist electrical engineering services in the marine market, most notably in the Naval, Offshore and Superyacht sectors.
As a business that offers innovative – leading-edge solutions, with a number of exciting projects in the public eye, we will be joining many of our partners and clients in the world of social media!
Stay connected and join our conversation #marineengineering #electricalengineering #naval #superyacht #offshore
SeaKing board members L-R Chris Dahill, Dave Gillam, Neil Watson, Mark Gillam, Martin Sealeaf. Picture Jason Roberts
08/07/2019
Merseyside headquartered maritime engineering company SeaKing Electrical is announcing a strengthening of its senior management team with the appointment of a new managing director Neil Watson and the promotion of Mark Gillam to operations director and Rachel Downey to finance director.
Mr Watson joins Birkenhead-based SeaKing after spending more than two decades in senior management and managing director roles in industry. The move will see company founder Dave Gillam move from managing director to chairman supported by current board members Chris Dahill, Eric King and Martin Sealeaf.
Dave Gillam said the time is right to bolster SeaKing’s infrastructure to drive the company forward to ensure the company continues to adapt to meet changing customer requirements.
“We’re very pleased to welcome Neil to our team and promote Mark and Rachel,” he said. “The last 10 years has seen SeaKing grow into one of the best-known electrical engineering companies in the maritime industry with a £8m turnover and more than 100 engineers and office staff. But we want to look to the future now and invest in talented people to take SeaKing to the next level. SeaKing has a clear strategy for growth in the naval, commercial marine and superyacht sectors at home and abroad. There are many opportunities for us but we have to keep pace with industry demands. This will be a big part of Neil’s role to ensure we continue to move with the times and have the internal systems and accreditations in place which are expected by key clients like Cammell Laird, BAE, Rolls Royce, the UK MOD, Konsberg and the wider industry.”
SeaKing Chairman Dave Gillam with new managing director Neil Watson outside Birkenhead headquarters. Picture Jason Roberts
Mr Watson said he is excited about his new role and the strategic vision of SeaKing, seeing huge opportunity to capitalise on Seaking’s market position and reputation.
“SeaKing is very well known and respected in the industry,” he said. “I have been impressed by the innovation of its electrical works, the calibre of its clients and how organised the senior management team are. The board is fully behind the growth strategy and willing to invest in it. There is a lot of potential for growth, in maritime and renewables, but we start with our core work in the UK maritime sector and expand from there. Cammell Laird, as a long-standing client and its work with the UK MOD, is obviously very important and I will be spending more time on professionalising SeaKing’s internal processes. SeaKing understands that to go up a level and grow over the next decade it has to add resource to its senior management team. The key is for operations to remain efficient while at the same time evolving with marketplace requirements.”
Martin Sealeaf, Seaking’s CEO said: “I am confident that the appointment of Mark Gillam and Rachel Downey to the board, both with significant industry and company experience rounds off the new board of directors giving the company the mix of expertise it needs to continually develop and improve its services to meet key customer requirements.”
SeaKing Electrical managing director Neil Watson. Picture Jason Roberts
Seaking Electrical was established in April 2001 targeting maintenance and project work for commercial ships, ferries, naval vessels, cruise ships and superyachts. The company now works across Europe, Asia and the Americas covering many market segments of the marine sector. It has employed 43 apprentices in the last 10 years. SeaKing is certified through Bureau Veritas for the ISO9001 and 14001 management standards.
For further details on the SeaKing Group’s services contact T: +44 (0)151 652 4821 E: enq@seakinggroup.co.uk
SeaKing Electrical background
SeaKing Electrical caters for the marine, industrial, commercial, military and offshore markets, specialising in electrical and electronics engineering. It delivers offshore wind market support, marine installations to SOLAS requirements, vessel survey and upgrades system engineering, complete mechanical & electrical packages and software development. It further delivers construction, modification and refurbishment of electrical marine, commercial and industrial control. The firm can offer fault finding and repair automated process control systems, as well as repair or source and supply replacement electric motors, electronic variable speed drives, generators switchgear and PLCs. It has achieved ISO 14001 Environmental management.
11/06/2019
SeaKing Electrical has completed a sensitive upgrade project involving historic Lake District steamer MV Teal.
The contract with Windermere Lake Cruises involved wide-ranging repairs and upgrades to the three-deck passenger ferry during its winter layup period.
SeaKing Electrical business development manager Neil Mellenchip said the 31-day project required careful planning around a broader asbestos removal process.
The MV Teal was built in 1936 by Vickers of Barrow. It carries up to 533 passengers operating alongside sister steamers MV Swan and MV Tern on Lake Windermere.
“We began by disconnecting the 440V switchboard and removing all deckhead and bulkhead fittings to prepare the engine room for specialists to carry out the asbestos removal,” said Mellenchip. “New insulation was then reinstated by one of our regular supply chain partners and fellow Merseyside marine specialist IPS Marine Fabrication. Following this process SeaKing’s own installation team began to repair and contain cabling which was damaged during the asbestos removal process. The vessel’s switchboards were then reconnected and tested.
“With work taking place during the winter layup period, the vessel’s anti-condensation heaters were turned off. It was, therefore, necessary to test the insulation of the generators. During this process we discovered the megger readers were low before applying heaters to raise the insulation readings. We also identified a damaged connector block on the main generator cable which was later replaced.
“SeaKing engineers delivered a series of other small works including the installation of new battery boxes for the port and starboard generators and main engines. They further installed 14 LED fittings and two emergency light units to the engine room. New optical smoke detector heads were also installed while the fire detection panel was reconfigured to accommodate the new smoke detection heads. We phased engineers in throughout the project depending on requirements using up to five specialists at the busiest points.”
The MV Teal is 142ft long weighing 251tonnes. It is manned by seven crew and can reach a speed of 10 knots with its two 6-cylinder Kelvin diesel engines and two auxiliary generators. It offers passengers scenic views across England’s longest lake combining with other attractions.
Mellenchip said the recent contract comes hot on the heels of a separate deal secured with Cumbria County Council to repair electrics on the Mallard car ferry following a fire in 2018. This vessel required a new engine and complete rewire.
“SeaKing is building a strong track record working on Windermere’s ferries, which are iconic in England and an important part of the local community. We have now worked on a series of vessels which have served the Lake District for centuries.”
Seaking Electrical Ltd was set up in April 2001 targeting maintenance and project work for commercial ships, ferries, naval vessels, cruise ships and superyachts. The firm now works across Europe, Asia and the Americas covering many market segments of the marine sector. It employs more than 70 engineers with a thriving apprenticeship scheme.
17/04/2019
(UK/ Merseyside/ Birkenhead) marine firm SeaKing Group has supported Cammell Laird in a major refit involving one of the Ministry of Defence’s largest vessels – The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort Victoria.
The 30,000 tonne Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ship entered a one-year re-fit period in September 2017 to extend its operational lifespan to the late 2020’s.
Wide-ranging work was carried out to ensure full compatibility with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) MARPOL regulations. Improvements to the Replenishment at Sea (RAS) equipment will now enable the vessel to replenish the new Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carriers. Meanwhile, an upgrade to the Bridge section will ensure a modern approach to naval navigation.
SeaKing Group Managing Director Dave Gillam said the firm was initially tasked by Cammell Laird and the MoD to provide a feasibility study which would later form the basis of the Bridge design.
“After carrying out a full inspection of the Bridge area we submitted a series of options to the MoD ranging from minimal work to a complete overhaul of the layout with significant changes to the ship structure,” he said. “The decision was then made to strip the entire interior of the Bridge back to its shell and replace it with a more efficient layout.
“The new design was based around previous installations on RFA vessels which SeaKing had delivered in close partnership with Cammell Laird. It involved the installation of four separate consoles. SeaKing was responsible for the overhaul and reconfiguration of legacy equipment and the installation of new equipment. This included the new RADAR’s, Warship Electronic Charting Display & Information System (WECDIS) and the Navigation Distribution & Conning System (NDACS).”
Alongside other nominated sub-contractors, SeaKing was also tasked with full system integration within the Bridge section. This included the set up and synchronisation of key equipment such as steering gear, signals and controls, wind speed and direction, gyro inputs, ships speed log, pitch and roll, ships AIS, voyage data recordings, main engine and propulsion signals, new NVG compatible navigation lighting and associated controls, and numerous other naval communications systems.
Additional work involved the design, manufacture and installation of a new deck lighting control system. This was achieved with an HMI Touchscreen providing automated control.
On completion of the project SeaKing received commendations from both RFA Superintendents and OEM Directors on the level of diligence, workmanship and effort to complete a specification which was not fully developed at the outset.
Mr Gillam said the project added to the firm’s world class military marine portfolio further and further strengthened its long-term partnership with Cammell Laird.
“SeaKing is proud to have supported Cammell Laird over the last decade with its RFA cluster contract delivering ‘through-life support’ to a catalogue of MoD vessels,” he said. “As we plan for the future we were particularly pleased to see Cammell Laird securing two further 10-year contracts to support the RFA, worth an estimated £619million. These contracts will run until 2028 and come a major boost to Merseyside’s maritime sector and supply chain as a whole.”
For further details on SeaKing Groups services contact its business development Manager Neil Mellenchip: T: +44 (0)151 652 4821 E: enq@seakinggroup.co.uk
