Training

With decades of workboat experience behind us, many of our crew have seen first-hand how important workboat safety is.

That’s why we have pioneered the Voluntary Towage Endorsement Scheme.

The Voluntary Towage Endorsement Scheme is a national training programme working alongside the National Workboat Association – aimed at the continuous improvement in workboat safety standards throughout the UK. The scheme leads to a recognised ship assist qualification, meeting the strict standards of the Port Marine Safety Code.

Our goal is to continuously raise safety standards in the maritime industry, and through our work with the Voluntary Towage Endorsement Scheme and also in our apprenticeship programme and our internal training regimes, we are proud to say that we have contributed to the UK towage industry’s recent improvements in overall safety standards.

In addition to this, SMS is proud to support young adults within our apprenticeship schemes. In our experience, a hands-on approach to learning produces the best tug masters of the future.