Friday 10 March 2006

The following industrial visits have been arranged for delegates the majority of which will take place on Friday 10 March except the Port of London Authority which will have an additional tour on Thursday 9 March. Places on all industrial visits are limited so early application is advised. All tours depart and return to the QEII Conference Centre. Please book using the WMTC attendee registration form.

PORT OF LONDON AUTHORITY Thursday 9 and Friday 10 March 2006 0830 – 1600 hours both days No charge

As the statutory navigation authority for the tidal Thames, the PLA works with the terminal operators and wider port community to create a safe, sustainable and competitive environment for the benefit of commercial shipping and the enjoyment of leisure users. The visit gives delegates the opportunity to see the Port Control Centre, the pilotage/ship bridge simulator, latest hydrographic technology, vessels and equipment, as well as the boatlift and engineering/marine services capabilities, including the PLA’s environmental clean-up vessels, for oil spills and driftwood.

QINETIQ Friday 10 March 2006 0830 – 1600 hours No charge

QinetiQ is one of the world’s leading defence technology and security companies. In today’s world the challenges faced by governments to detect, identify and respond to both defence and homeland security threats requires the most advanced technical capabilities science can offer. The Integrated Maritime Solutions Centre provides high level systems integration and test and evaluation, spanning everything from hydrodynamics and weapon systems to naval air systems. Drawing on more than 50 years of maritime research, we offer an unrivalled breadth of skills, embracing network integration, structure, combat systems and the environment.

This visit will give delegates the opportunity to witness hydrodynamic research in the Ocean Basin, No 1 Ship Tank and Quiet Water Tunnel, understand the breadth of the marine environmental skills at QinetiQ with a look at the environmental equipment being developed in the Admiralty Test House and an examination of services provided by the fire test house and the marine consultancy division as well as our developments in atmospheric analysis.

THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR OCEAN FORECASTING Friday 10 March 2006 0830 – 1600 hours No charge

NCOF is a strategic partnership between the Met Office and the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, and the Environmental Systems Science Centre at Reading whose mission is to establish ocean forecasting as part of the UK national infrastructure, based on world-class research and development. This visit will demonstrate the range of oceanographic expertise possessed by the NCOF partners, and the global ocean modelling capability of NCOF products and services.

ROYAL NAVY SHIP (subject to operational commitments) Friday 10 March 2006 0830 – 1600 hours No charge

The Royal Navy (RN) is a unique combination of land, sea and air capabilities merged into a single, adaptable and dynamic force. It plays a major role in the UK’s affairs and its importance in delivering the Nation’s future expeditionary capability is clearly established in the Government's strategic thinking. This visit will allow you to see the latest technology employed by the RN and discuss with the users the capabilities and limitations of their systems.

KENTISH FLATS WIND FARM (subject to numbers) Friday 10 March 2006 0830 – 1600 hours No charge

The Kentish Flats wind farm is a key element of the British Government’s commitment to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases such as CO 2 , seeking to reverse the trends of climate change. The Kentish Flats wind farm will comprise 30 efficient wind turbines capable of producing up to 3 MW of electricity each, so that the total output of the wind farm could be up to 90 MW. Once erected on Kentish Flats, the farm will set a dual record: the 30 turbine project will host the largest wind turbine so far installed in the UK, and the project will be the largest wind farm in the UK, at 90 MW rated capacity.

This visit will comprise a boat trip out to view the wind farm and include presentations on the challenges of such a project.