MNTB’s Mark Bobby draws on his career experience to improve education for maritime professionals
By Carly Fields
Mark Bobby, chair of the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB), has dedicated his lifelong career to the maritime industry. From his early days as a marine engineering cadet to Class 1 Chief Engineer, fleet manager at Boskalis subsidiary Gardline, and chairman of the MNTB, overseeing the training of future seafarers, Mark has played a pivotal role in shaping future training within the industry.
Speaking to The Sea, Mark explains that his path to the maritime industry was somewhat serendipitous. After completing his schooling with no appetite to go onto further education at the time, he worked as a technical clerk at oil rig construction yards. One day, while browsing a newspaper during a break, he stumbled upon an advert for a marine engineering cadetship at Leith Nautical College. Intrigued, he applied and was accepted.
“I had no insight into what it was about at all,” Mark recalls. “I had no history of the maritime sector, no family connections. It was just that advert in that newspaper.”
To his surprise, Mark soon learned that the marine engineering course required him to go to sea. “I was so naive,” he admits. “I thought I was there to do an HND in marine engineering. But then they told me I had to go to sea.”
Despite his initial surprise, Mark embraced the opportunity to gain practical experience at sea. He secured a position for sea time on North Sea supply boats with Stirling Shipping, a company that would later offer him a permanent role upon completion of his studies.
Mark’s career progressed steadily. He obtained his Officer of the Watch ticket, Second Engineer’s ticket, and eventually his Chief Engineer’s ticket through the support of both Leith and Glasgow Nautical colleges and those at sea who mentored and guided him. He then transitioned to a shore-based role as a trainee superintendent with Gardline and was promoted after a year to fleet manager, a position that suited his family life and that he still holds today. He commends the “fantastic and unquestionable support” that Gardline and the large Boskalis group have given to his MNTB work.
Throughout his career, Mark has been driven by a desire to give back to the maritime industry. He serves on the boards of various maritime organisations, including the Safe Ship Training Group, the Chamber of Shipping Supervisory Board and the MNTB. His dedication and expertise led to his appointment as the chair of the MNTB, the position he holds today. He is “notably and proudly” the first marine engineer to hold this position, he says.
“No two days are the same… the people, the lifelong friendships you make – that’s what the sea getting into your blood means.”
Great diversity
Looking back on his career, Mark highlights the dynamic nature of the maritime industry and the camaraderie among seafarers as the most enjoyable aspects. “No two days are the same,” he says. “The people, the lifelong friendships you make – that’s what the sea getting into your blood means.”
He also finds immense satisfaction in mentoring and supporting the career progression of young seafarers. “Getting the best out of people, in their career progression, in their training – that’s what I get a lot of pleasure in,” he says.
Of course, there have been challenges along the way. Mark acknowledges the stressful nature of exams and career building, as well as the challenges associated with being away from home. In his role with Gardline he keeps ships at sea in a safe, maintained and operational manner.
Having witnessed significant changes in the maritime industry throughout his career – particularly with technology – Mark notes the vast improvements in communication for seafarers. “Gen Z is entering the industry for the first time with expectations of being connected and being able to connect with loved ones and access specialist expertise remotely,” he says, acknowledging the importance of connectivity on seafarers’ mental health and wellbeing.
He also stresses the importance of embracing new technologies, such as digital tools and artificial intelligence, in maritime training. “You can’t deny that it’s there,” he says. “You can’t deny that its role is bringing advantages to everybody.”
He is actively involved in a major project to update the UK seafarer training syllabus in conjunction with the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency, going through it “line by line”. The last major review was done over 20 years ago and much has changed in the sector since then. What was new then isn’t now; what was a necessity then can now be done in other ways now, for example, interactions of machinery and the need to act more independently, pushing the boundaries of regulation and training.
The MNTB is actively incorporating digital technologies into training programmes in partnership with the MCA, training institutions, unions and most importantly employers, including the future introduction of electronic training record books and the use of simulators to provide seafarers with realistic training experiences. The MNTB also rolled out a national awareness campaign last year, sharing the benefits of a career at sea and the maritime sector, which has recorded 6 million hits to date.
Time at sea
Despite the advancements in technology, Mark acknowledges the ongoing challenges faced by seafarer cadets, such as securing sufficient sea time, adapting to the changing landscape of the industry, and dealing with alternative fuels. “Multifuel shipping is a reality, and autonomous/rarely supervised machinery options should be in everyone’s passage planning.”
The MNTB is working to address these challenges by collaborating with industry stakeholders to increase the availability of bunk space for cadets and by incorporating training to meet the demands of the worldwide shipping industry and the demands of the diverse talent.
“We need to make sure that seafarers are knowledgeable and trained to meet the various challenges ahead, including alternative fuels and rapidly changing technologies,” Mark says. “It’s an essential part of their education and the industry demands it.”
In addition to technical training, the MNTB is committed to supporting the wellbeing of seafarers. The organisation established and worked with the MCA and unions to roll out a welfare committee to provide support and guidance to cadets facing challenges.
“We actually recognise that seafarers are not just part of a ship, they are individual people who work on ships, supporting a worldwide economy,” Mark says. “They have families and lives outside of work. We need to keep them safe and to look after them.”
Mark’s contributions to the maritime industry have not gone unnoticed. In recognition of his meritorious service, he was awarded the Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service, a prestigious honour recognising outstanding service in the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets.
“I was very proud,” Mark says of receiving the award. “It was unexpected and emotional. It was a wonderful experience.”
As the maritime industry continues diversity and inclusion, and prioritises to evolve, Mark remains committed the wellbeing of its workforce. to ensuring that seafarers receive the “We need to work together to attract training and support they need to thrive. and retain the best talent,” Mark says. He envisions a future where the industry “The future of the maritime industry embraces new technologies, promotes depends on it.”
“We need to make sure that seafarers are knowledgeable and trained to meet the various challenges ahead, including alternative fuels and rapidly changing technologies.”
