Two key and complementary IMarEST events being held alongside each other for the first time

Two influential Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) events – Engine As A Weapon (EAAW VIII) and the Marine Electrical and Control Systems Safety Conference (MECSS 2019) - are to be held for the first time alongside each other at America Square Conference Centre in London on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 July 2019.

EAAW VIII, with its theme ‘Evolving intelligent platforms for the future battlespace’, will be chaired by Cdr Ian Hassall RN, T45 Deputy Team Leader and T45 Platform Chief Engineer, Ministry of Defence, UK; while MECSS 2019 (the fourth in the biennial series) has as its theme ‘Inspiring safer systems at sea’ and is chaired by Kevin Daffey, Director Ship Intelligence and Engineering & Technology – Commercial Marine, Rolls-Royce plc.

“There are clear synergies between these two seminal IMarEST Learned Society events, indeed their themes complement each other” explains Cdr Ian Hassall. “The first day of presentations will be held jointly, with the second day splitting into two parallel sessions focussing on topics specific to each event. At the end of Day One, we are considering a Debate involving all participants, which worked extremely well at MECSS 2017. The timings for refreshments and the networking programme will be synchronised throughout Day Two ensuring maximum interaction between all participants, a key feature of all IMarEST events.

Kevin Daffey highlights the strength of combining the two events: “There are technical commonalities between them which will be of considerable interest to both audiences. For example: electrical safety hazards; autonomy and applications of AI; system integration and challenges around cyber security. Our programme will enable delegates to ‘pick and mix’ to tailor their time with us in early July to suit their particular need.”

The Call for Papers and revised websites will be launched shortly by FIGS Events, organisers of the duo of events on behalf of IMarEST. The websites www.eaaw.org.uk and www.mecss.org.uk will provide full information on all elements of the duo of events including sponsorship packages and exhibiting opportunities.