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Chris Halliwell, Canal boat Surveyor based on the Kennet & Avon Canal

Introducing Chris Halliwell

I served a traditional craft apprenticeship as a fitter in heavy industry and have enjoyed working with tools ever since. My first association with the Kennet and Avon Canal was in the 1960s when I canoed from Bristol to London along what was then a derelict canal.

I joined the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust at that time and did not really expect to see the Kennet & Avon canal restored but was of course delighted when the canal reopened. I bought my first boat (a traditional Thames half decked sailing boat) in 1967 and have owned boats ever since. My current boat is a 70ft former hotel narrowboat which I have overplated and restored from a disreputable condition.

I joined the Merchant Navy in 1969as an Electrical Officer with P&O. I then spent a year working ashore for P&O as an Electrical Inspector attending dry dockings worldwide doing electrical surveys on their general cargo vessels as a specialist part of their scheduled marine surveys and then served with Canadian Pacific as an Engineer Officer. I was promoted to Chief Engineer with Jardines of Hong Kong in 1989 and sailed in that capacity for various companies till coming ashore early in 2010.

As Chief Engineer at sea I was responsible for continuous survey of all machinery on board with the exception of pressure vessels & main engine crankshafts although I was responsible for preparing these items for survey by a Classification Society (usually Lloyds).  

For five years I practiced surveying mostly of canal boats while running Widbrook Dry Dock on the Kennet & Avon Canal where we completed routine dockings, steelwork and some major conversions. I have attended very many dry-docking in a supervisory capacity in 4 continents.

As a member of the Institute of Marine Engineers I carry Professional Indemnity Insurance and attend continuous professional development courses.

Qualifications and Experience

MCA Class 1 Chief Engineers unlimited Certificate of Competency
Member Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology