Boat builder scoops prestigious award

The managing director at a Great Yarmouth boat builders has been recognised for his services to the marine industry.

Alan Goodchild, from Goodchild Marine, in Burgh Castle, has received the Peter Millward Award for his voluntary contribution to British Marine associations, after serving as chairman of the Commercial Marine Association for eight years.

Peter Millward owned Teddesley Boat Company in Stafford and was the chairman of the Association of Pleasure Craft Operators (APCO), which he took into British Marine.

APCO started life as a standalone association, but was renamed during a re-brand as British Marine Inland Boating, representing the interests of the members involved in inland boat hire operations and supporting services.

Peter also restructured the dormant British Marine Federation Midlands Association and became chair, before he sadly died of cancer.

Alan was presented with the award at Seawork 2018, which took place in Southampton earlier this month.

He said: “I was very honoured to be presented with the award during Seawork. Peter Millward made a real difference during his marine career and it is humbling to think that British Marine feel that I am worthy of such an accolade.

“It really is the icing on the cake after a very successful few months winning several new contracts, strengthening business partnerships and the very exciting news that we will be building the UK’s first ORC.136.HY hybrid pilot boat for the Port of London Authority.

“We had an extremely successful few days at Seawork, where we celebrated two handovers of an ORC 136 pilot boat for Estuary Services Limited and a Crew Transfer Vessel for Commercial Rib Charter, as well as an order from Briggs Marine to build two further ORC 136 pilot boats.”

The company, which was named Business of the Year at the last Spirit of Enterprise Awards, in Great Yarmouth, is currently enjoying its 40th anniversary.

Steve Pierce, General Manager, said 2018 had been one of the best years in business so far.

“We have had a bumper year in terms of work and we had lots of very positive interaction during Seawork. We are now looking forward to engaging with people about various projects that we may be able to assist with.”