![\"SMarT\"](\"http:\/\/extatica.ro\/goodwinds\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/SMarT-300x225.png\")
<\/p>\nThe head of the UK shipowners\u2019 organisation has called for the government to double the value of the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the annual dinner of the UK Chamber of Shipping, president Tom Boardley criticised the \u2018myths and clich\u00e9s\u2019 surrounding the debates over the industry\u2019s future and called for action to address the real issues.<\/p>\n
\u2018We have too few British seafarers and a flag in decline,\u2019 Mr Boardley said. \u2018They are facts.\u2019<\/p>\n
The Chamber president said there was too much talk about the need to encourage more young people into the industry whilst ignoring the fact that many companies have hundreds, if not thousands of people applying for their cadet programmes every year.
\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Representation Image
\n\u2013 Photograph by Emmanuel Ephraim<\/p>\n
\u2018The truth is we have many young people wanting a career at sea,\u2019 he added. \u2018Our problem is we don\u2019t have enough opportunities to give them.\u2019<\/p>\n
Substantial investment is required to address the steady decline of British seafarers, Mr Boardley said. \u2018Gone are the days of tinkering with SMaRT funding. If we are serious, if we are genuinely serious about training more British seafarers we need SMarT funding not just to increase, but to double.<\/p>\n
\u2018If the Department for Transport can find \u00a350bn to spend on High Speed 2, roads and local transport, I would hope you can find another \u00a315m to train the next generation of world-class seafarers.\u2019<\/p>\n
Mr Boardley said there is also a need for \u2018real and tangible\u2019 reform of the UK Ship Register, with a Maritime & Coastguard Agency \u2018that\u2019s hungry for that next big success, ambitious and focussed in pursuit of growth\u2019.<\/p>\n