An Aberdeen-based marine assurance consultancy has increased its headcount by twenty per cent since the pandemic due to increased offshore renewables activity and expects recruitment to continue year on year over the next decade as the energy industry transitions to renewables.

The company currently employs 15 staff, the majority of whom are master mariners and marine engineers and 150 further contracting consultants specialising in various aspects of marine assurance consultancy and trialling work.

Seacroft Marine Consultants has built its reputation in marine assurance consultancy, expanding its expertise to offer a range of services to clients with maritime interests worldwide. Specialisms include marine assurance consultancy packages, OVID (Offshore Vessel Inspection Database) and CMID inspections (Common Marine Inspection Documents)’ international safety management audits, dynamic positioning (DP) assurance, port marine safety code compliance as well as simulator training in ship handling and bridge team management.

The company has always been at the forefront of innovations in emergency response and rescue vessel (ERRV) services, including formulating vessel sharing arrangements which have been adopted by the oil and gas industry to streamline provision.

Seacroft is jointly owned by Jennifer Fraser, daughter of Capt. Roderick MacSween, who formed the business in 1995, and technical director, Michael Cowlam. Michael joined Seacroft after it was formed and has been instrumental in the growth of the business over the last twenty-five years. He believes the offshore renewables sector will continue that growth as the business expands and diversifies to support energy transition.

‘We already have a significant track record in offshore wind. We’re established in marine assurance consultancy and ship inspection work for construction vessels, CTVs (crew transfer vessels) and SOVs (service operation vessels), so are well positioned to manage growth in renewables as more offshore wind farms are licensed.’ said Michael.

‘Safety is key to everything we do. The maritime industry is a lot safer than it used to be but it’s still an inherently risky business. The purpose of our work is to make sure ships are safe, that people are kept safe, while also protecting client assets and the environment.

‘Our role is to ensure clients comply with company, industry, and regulatory requirements and for the offshore renewables industry this is everything from vessel inspections to procedures for towing, mooring and positioning floating structures, cable laying and underwater surveys.

‘We believe the expertise we have gained in the global oil and gas market transfers seamlessly to offshore renewables. It will be a key part of our growth and we expect to increase staff to meet the continued demand for marine assurance,’ added Michael.