Waves Group Marine Course 2025: Strengthening Industry Knowledge Through Immersive Learning
From 7–9 July 2025, Waves Group hosted its Marine Course in Southampton, bringing together professionals from across the maritime, insurance, and legal sectors for three days of hands-on, real-world learning.
Designed to deepen understanding of ports, vessels, operations, and incident response, the course combined expert-led sessions with practical experiences delivered in unique and relevant settings to reinforce key technical and commercial concepts.
A Unique Learning Environment
Day One began aboard the historic SS Shieldhall, the UK’s largest operational steamship. With the Solent as a backdrop, attendees explored topics such as port layout and construction, vessel gear, nautical operations, and marine fuels followed by a boat tour and dinner overlooking the water.
Day Two shifted the focus to marine risk, with sessions on naval architecture, shipboard fires, and marine casualty response. The day concluded with a powerful visit to the Fire Centre at Solent University, where participants undertook live fire exercises highlighting the high-stakes conditions faced at sea and the importance of effective emergency response.
Day Three wrapped up the course with bridge simulation training at the Maritime Simulation Campus, followed by an in-depth tour of the Oil Spill Response Centre, giving insight into the global response infrastructure and techniques used to mitigate environmental impact in marine incidents.
Bridging Theory and Practice
Each element of the programme was carefully curated to offer context, clarity, and practical relevance to those working in the marine insurance and legal sectors, providing a foundation for better-informed decisions in casualty, claims, and consultancy scenarios.
Our own Waves Group team brought decades of experience across fire investigation, casualty response, HazMat handling, and marine risk consultancy, sharing real-world insight with participants throughout the course.
Thank You to Our Hosts and Partners
We extend our thanks to the teams at:
- SS Shieldhall
- Solent University Fire School
- Maritime Simulation Campus
- Oil Spill Response Ltd
…as well as our facilitators, support crew, and most importantly, our participants, whose engagement and professionalism made the event such a success.
Want to Join the Next Course?
Due to overwhelmingly positive feedback, Waves Group is already exploring opportunities to run the Marine Course again, potentially expanding its reach and offering further subject areas. Be part of a growing professional network committed to sharing knowledge, building capability, and improving marine risk understanding across the industry. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, insights, and event announcements and register your interest in future Waves Group courses.
Spotlight on the SS Shieldhall
As part of the recent activity in Southampton, delegates had the opportunity to visit the SS Shieldhall – the largest working steamship in Britain and a proud member of the National Historic Fleet.
Built in 1955 as a sludge carrier for Glasgow Corporation, the SS Shieldhall is now preserved and operated by a team of dedicated volunteers. The vessel retains many of her original features, including a traditional steam engine room and bridge, offering a rare glimpse into the golden age of steam-powered maritime engineering.
Now serving as a living museum, the SS Shieldhall plays an important role in promoting maritime heritage and education. Her continued operation stands as a testament to the craftsmanship and legacy of mid-20th-century shipbuilding.
