London Takes Its Turn to Celebrate the BMA’s 30th Anniversary

As The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) continues to celebrate its 30th Anniversary with events across its global offices, the London team marked the occasion during London International Shipping Week (LISW). The milestone provided an opportunity not only to reflect on the Authority’s three decades of progress but also to look ahead at the future of the maritime sector.

The BMA hosted Conversation & Cocktails aboard the iconic HMS Wellington, where a panel of industry professionals shared their experiences and insights with a packed audience. Centred on the theme “Bridging Tradition and Innovation: Harnessing Legacy Expertise and New Advancements in Maritime,” the discussion reflected both on the BMA’s 30-year legacy and the opportunities ahead as the industry embraces innovation.

The panel discussion brought together current and former members of the BMA team. Sharing their experiences and insights were:

• Stephen Keenan, Head of Inspections and Surveys at the BMA since 2009
• Marie Caillerie, Director at NauticaLex and former Head of Maritime Affairs at the BMA (2015–2020)
• Nigel James, Operations Director at Waves Group and previously with the BMA (1998–2005)
• Gerrad Harris-Smith, Assistant Director of IT at the BMA

BMA Marketing Manager, Leah R. Davis moderated the discussion, which began on a light-hearted note, with panellists recalling where they were on July 1, 1995—the date of the BMA’s establishment. While some were already working at sea or ashore in maritime roles, one panellist humorously admitted to being too young at the time to be thinking of work at all.

Turning to more serious topics, the panel explored issues such as how innovation can best benefit the maritime industry and what sets the BMA apart as a registry. There was broad agreement that innovation must be pragmatic, carefully assessed, and balanced with the preservation of institutional knowledge to ensure resilience when technology fails.

The panellists also praised the BMA’s strong culture of collaboration, particularly its partnerships with international bodies and the close relationship with the Bahamas Shipowners Association, which helps ensure the Authority remains responsive to industry needs.

Audience questions reflected a genuine appreciation for The Bahamas as a flag of choice, underscoring the BMA’s reputation for quality and service.

The event concluded with cocktails, fine food, and lively networking on deck, offering the perfect setting to reconnect with colleagues, strengthen partnerships, and celebrate the BMA’s 30-year journey.