On 16 March members of the Northern Ireland joint branch visited the new factory of the MJM Group to see the pre-fabrication activities carried out for MJM Marine. IMAREST member Katharine Martin, Project Manager for MJM Marine, introduced some of her colleagues and gave a presentation on projects located from Belfast to Bremerhaven to Bahamas; projects carried out on passenger vessels ranging from local ferries to international cruise ships, always working to a tight schedule. MJM Group also undertake shop and hotel outfitting.
Katharine also outlined some the problems that arose from the Marine side of the group not normally found in the shore based work including approval certification for the National Flag Authorities and the logistics of getting the materials and work force to the various locations. A tour of the factory which it self had yet to be completely outfitted followed to see work in progress and see the latest computer controlled machines in action along side traditional craftsmen at work. Waste generated is burned in a wood burning furnace and used to heat the factory and this itself created a problem when the waste arose from flame retardant or non-combustible materials.