World class marine and maritime research recognised at Southampton

More than 300 people attended the official event, which was addressed by Science Minister David Willetts, University Vice-Chancellor Professor Don Nutbeam and Richard Sadler, Chief Executive of Lloyd's Register.

The RNLI has long-established partnerships with academics and students at Ship Science to improve lifeboat technology and help save lives at sea. Its Chief Executive, Paul Boissier said: "Every day of the world, researchers at Southampton help us save lives. We could not achieve our aims without the excellence of the University of Southampton."

Halyard Marine won two Queen's Awards after joint research with the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR). The University's specialist acoustic skills helped make quieter marine engines "The experts at ISVR were the intellectual key to this programme and gave us a considerable competitive advantage," said Managing Director James Grazebrook.

CJR Propulsion has just completed a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to develop its products with the University. Researchers at Southampton used computational fluid dynamics and simulations to support the partnership. Managing Director Mark Russell said: "Advisers told us this was one of the best KTPs they had seen. It has resulted in one of the most significant improvements to our business."

Lloyd's Register is moving many key staff to Southampton to new premises currently under construction on the Boldrewood site near Highfield. Its Chief Executive Richard Sadler said he was proud to work with the SMMI

Director of the SMMI Professor Ajit Shenoi said: "I am pleased with the success of our launch and look forward to developing our work with the marine and maritime industries. The SMMI is a truly multidisciplinary centre and reflects the University of Southampton's experience and expertise in all areas of marine and maritime research."