UK/Solent
Welcome to the Solent Branch of The Nautical Institute!
Based largely in and around Southampton and Portsmouth we warmly represent the interests of members from all along the south coast - from Lymington to Dover, Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands.
With meetings and events being planned throughout the year, there is no reason not to get in touch - we would love to hear from you at [email protected].
A Brief History
The Solent Branch was formed in 1974 under the chairmanship of RAdm R D Macdonald and Lt Cdr M J Plumridge, who was later to become Deputy Secretary of The Nautical Institute from 1984 to 1998.
With an area covering the international mercantile port of Southampton and HMNB Portsmouth, the aim of the new branch was that it should become a professional focal point for personnel employed in (or in auxilliary support to) both services - so meetings and social functions began to be held at HMS Dryad, Warsash and elsewhere.
Over recent years the branch has held several successful seminars, both independently and together with other branches including London.
We remain committed to its original professional aims and principles - and, increasingly, to attracting more younger members.
To this end we strive to arrange more professional meetings jointly with other local maritime institutes and organisations - particularly the Royal Institute of Navigation and Southampton Master Mariners’ Club - as well as to exploit and further develop existing connections with local training providers and centres of excellence, such as Warsash Maritime Academy and Southampton Solent University.
Branch membership is open to all those in full time-training/cadetship, the early stages of their career or even approaching retirement - whether from the merchant marine or the Senior Service.