A CENTENARY celebration sail underlined SCMS’s commitment to Humber charity CatZero as the worldwide marine consultants confirm a further 12 months of sponsorship.
For the last year, the Society of Consulting Marine Engineers and Ship Surveyors (SCMS) has proudly supported CatZero, an organisation dedicated to making lasting positive change in the lives of families, children, adults and young people across the Humber region. Using Challenge 72 yacht ‘CatZero’ as a tool to encourage confidence building, team work and responsibility, the organisation has an impressive record for helping troubled young people into employment and education. The marine element of the programmes were the reason SCMS was initially drawn to the charity.
SCMS director Allan Larsen, who is also managing director and principal surveyor of Grimsby-based Larsens Marine Surveyors and Consultants Ltd, said: “We were approached by Sean, one of the CatZero staff, as we were looking around for organisations to support during the SCMS centenary year, in 2020. I was the SCMS president at the time and thought that the marine connection and the idea of using a boat to do good was fantastic.
“Sean gave us lots of information about CatZero and we thought that it all sat nicely with what we are – many of the members of SCMS are ex-seafarers, from all walks of life.”
Having sponsored CatZero – which boasts intrepid sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston as one of its patrons – through one of the most turbulent periods in our time, Allan and the SCMS council feel that their continued support is important, something which was punctuated during their anniversary sail from Southampton in early July.
“We were supposed to be taking a sail with CatZero during our 100th year, but due to Covid, this was postponed,” said Allan. “We were lucky that the yacht was in Southampton for the Round the Island Race, which is where the SCMS head office is based, and took the opportunity to gather some of our members to enjoy a sail and find out more about the charity.”
Skipper and CatZero director Danny Watson was delighted to have eight of the members on board.
He stated: “We had a fantastic day on the water in near perfect conditions. From Southampton, we went down towards Cowes and the Western Approaches. It was great to meet the SCMS team in person and share in their anniversary sail.”
Director Allan finished: “Most of us have worked together for many years but we are always too busy or rushed to get to know one another properly. During the 7-hour sail, it was nice to chat and talk nonsense – it’s not very often we have the time to do that.
“We are already talking about doing it again but, in the meantime, we are very pleased to continue our involvement with CatZero by sponsoring the yacht for a further year and we are looking forward to being back on board soon!”
Danny Watson, CatZero’s director of sailing, said: “It’s fantastic news that SCMS have confirmed their support of CatZero and the important work we do with young people and the long-term unemployed.
“It was great meeting the team on their celebratory centenary sail and I look forward to meeting them again in the future.”
SCMS is a non-profit, members’ organisation consisting of consulting marine engineers, naval architects and ship surveyors. It offers a range of technical marine services to its clients, which also includes the Maritime Coastguard Agency. Find out more at www.scmshq.org
If you think you could sponsor CatZero, or would like to know more, visit www.catzero.org