Sally Denchfield of the University of Southampton has won the Lloyd's Register Best Maritime Technology Student Award, judged yesterday (22 September) by a panel provided by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST). The judging was held at IMarEST headquarters, and Sally received her award in the evening at the ceremony for the Science, Engineering & Technology Student of the Year Awards taking place at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Sally's research project was on "The effect of abnormally shaped waves in tidal races on yachts and small craft." The panel of judges - Francis Udom, Project Engineer at Lloyd's Register, sponsors of the Award; Phil Sayer, Lecturer at Strathclyde University; and Roy Quilliam, Technical Director of BMT DSL - summed up her win saying: "Sally Denchfield has a consistent record of academic excellence as well as having displayed a zest for enthusing young people in the joy of science and engineering.
"In both her synopsis and interview she demonstrated her passion for the subject and her excellent communication skills. She has received scholarships from two professional institutions and has participated enthusiastically in work for the Smallpeice Trust. Her research project is an excellent balance of fundamental theory and practical applications, and also a creative approach to overcoming the limitations of using existing experimental facilities.
"She has actively sought and gained relevant work placements in several prestigious maritime organisations. This has reinforced her positive attitude to undertaking a career in the maritime profession. We were particularly impressed by her clear commitment to use this accolade to promote not just maritime technology but the wider context of science, engineering and technology."
Sally beat two other finalists Michael Fortemps of the University of Strathclyde 'Initial design of megayachts using a case-base approach'; and John Morris of Newcastle University 'The flywheel ship'. The Lloyd's Register Best Maritime Technology Student is one of 17 SET Awards made annually.
"We were delighted to have been asked for the sixth year running to provide judges for the the SET Awards, encouraging students to take up a career in the maritime industry in any one of its numerous guises is crucial to the economy of the country, and indeed the world," says Keith Read CBE, Chief Executive of IMarEST. "Sally is a remarkable young woman, and a credit to marine engineering, science and technology. We wish her well in her chosen maritime profession."
