THE HONOURABLE COMPANY OF MASTER MARINERS H.Q.S. “WELLINGTON”, TEMPLE STAIRS, VICTORIA EMBANKMENT LONDON WC2R 2PN

t: 020 7836 8179 e: [email protected] www.hcmm.org.uk

Scott Hanlon BA (Hons) Esq. CLERK

FROM: SIR NIGEL ESSENHIGH GCB - CHAIRMAN OF THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

To Candidates for Membership

Ladies and Gentlemen,

INVITATION TO JOIN THE HONOURABLE COMPANY OF MASTER MARINERS

I am writing in my role as Chairman of the Membership Committee of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners to ask if you would consider applying to join us. We are a Livery Company of the City of London, founded in 1926. In simple terms, our mission is to: • Focus on Master Mariners’ professional standards, values and interests • Influence the maritime sector • Grow our membership as a network of peers who are similarly qualified, like-minded professional men and women • Maintain strong links between the Merchant Navy and the • Through our Apprenticeship and Mentoring schemes to provide young officers with guidance and advice as they progress through their careers towards achievement of their Masters’ Certificates

This letter will have been passed to you by one of our members who can explain why they joined us and also why it is important to them to remain part of an eminent body of maritime professionals. They will have recognised that the most important benefit of membership is to be part of a friendly and welcoming professional society that understands what it means to be a Master Mariner.

I have attached a note describing the types of membership available and the qualifications required for each. If you are interested in joining us, please have a look at our website (www.hcmm.org.uk) and, for further information, contact the Clerk of the HCMM, Scott Hanlon Esq., (020 7836 8179 or [email protected]).

Yours sincerely,

Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh GCB

TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP

Freedom Freedom is open to those who have attained the highest level of professional recognition for their work at sea. For Merchant Navy personnel, such membership is open to those British, Commonwealth and EU nationals who have been awarded any of the following:

CofC Area Limitation Tonnage Limitation STCW Class Master Near-Coastal Unlimited II/2 Master Unlimited Less than 3000 GT II/2 Master Unlimited Unlimited II/2

Other MCA recognised masters’ qualifications may be acceptable on a case by case basis. For the Royal Navy, for direct entry to Freedom, individuals must have passed CQ2, pce or S/M equivalent.

Livery On gaining Freedom of the City of London, Freemen of the Company may progress to Liveryman. Only Liverymen are eligible to be elected to become senior officers of the Honourable Company and may also stand for senior positions within the City of London Corporation.

Member Member status is available for individuals of any nationality who hold certificates of maritime competency other than those listed above. It is also available to people who do not hold any certificate of maritime competency but who are accomplished in their own maritime-related fields. These could include (for example but not exclusively) shipbrokers, lawyers, naval historians or those in P&I Clubs. In certain circumstances, Members can progress to Freedom of the Company.

Seagoing Member Seagoing Membership is available to Deck Officers who do not yet hold a STCW II/2 certificate (or Royal Navy equivalent), including those in the superyacht industry, and a reduced fee is payable.

Apprentice/Associate Apprentice/Associate Membership is open to British and Commonwealth nationals who are undergoing training as either a MN officer trainee or RN Midshipman/Sub-Lieutenant and details of this scheme are available separately to those who may be interested.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

Benefits include: • Membership of a network of your peers who are similarly qualified, like-minded professional men and women. • Involvement in the governance and life of the City of London (particularly as a Liveryman). • Opportunities to be a member of HCMM “Outports” in your area of the country. • Contributing to the wider maritime world (legislation, opinion, etc) through the “corporate” view of the HCMM, in particular by joining one of the HCMM committees. This can include assisting regulators and outside bodies with professional and technical queries • Participation in the HCMM mentoring scheme and, thus, assisting in the professional development of young people in the industry. • Attendance at and participation in Joint Informal Meetings • Participation in HCMM formal and informal social functions and, for Liverymen, those in the City of London. • Having access to the facilities of the HQS WELLINGTON. These include: a world class venue for meetings and conferences; affordable accommodation in the centre of London onboard the ship; use of the Wardroom bar for lunches and informal meetings with your friends, family and colleagues; access to the comprehensive maritime library