Overseas visitor numbers are also set for a record high with a UK Trade and Investment Inwards Buyers Mission bringing high calibre buyers into the exhibition for one-on-one meetings with exhibitors - and delegates from the nearby Tugnology Conference attending the event on Wednesday June 13.

Special pavilions
Seawork has many special features and specialist Pavilions. The DiveWork Pavilion, sponsored by Underwater Contractor International and supported by the Association of Diving Contractors, has attracted many new exhibitors and big names such as Aqua Lung, Ac-cess Co UK Ltd, Mini-B, Miko Marine, Divex, Kaymac, Searchwise, Osiris, Hyrdospace, Seabotix and the Professional Diving Academy.

The Ribwork Trail focuses on the commercial RIB market. There are around 30 commercial RIBs on the pontoons and the trail includes propulsion systems, safety, clothing, seating – and all other relevant products. Exhibitors on the RIB trail have RibWork logos on their sites for easy navigation from stand to pontoon.

The Ship Building & Ship Repair Pavilion is supported by the Ship Builders and Ship Repairers Association and includes names such as Milford Haven Ship Repairers, Marina Developments, MMS Ship Repair & Dry Dock, Buckie Shipyard, Francis Searchlights, Rollo UK and Wartsila. The Pavilion focuses upon all aspects of ship repair, ship building, maintenance, re-fit and conversion.

The Fluid Power Pavilion, supported by the British Fluid Power Association and Hydraulics & Pneumatics publication is hosting leading companies such as Coleman Hydraulics, North Sea Winches, Hercules Hydraulics, Hyphose, Rotech Hydraulics and Macgregor (GBR). Ian Morris, director of the BFPA, endorses Seawork as a ‘valuable vertical exhibition for any company looking to break into the commercial marine sector’.

Military Seawork
The UK MoD procurement and support officers who manage the small boat and equipment programme, will be at Seawork, based on the DMA stand S3. David Gould, chief operating officer for Defence Equipment Support, will be speaking in the conferences, telling small businesses how they can do business with the MoD.

This session, on Tuesday June 12 in Conference Room 3, is free for all to attend. Register now on www.seawork.com - and arrive early to secure your place.

In addition, the MoD diving equipment procurement team will be visiting Divework, as will Naval Attachés, based in London. The UK Assistant Chief Police Officers Diving and Marine Team will be holding its regional meeting. Check the complete conference programme, including times and topics at www.seawork.com

Seawork runs from today (June 12) to Thursday, ( June 14) in the Canary Island Fruit Terminal in the ABP Port of Southampton. Parking is free and the doors open at 10.00 each day.

More information from www.seawork.com