NEXT GEN Marine

What are the Emerging Battery-Electric Risks at Sea – Real Versus Perceived

John Haynes

Managing Director, NEXT GEN Marine

Workshop Lead

John Haynes is an Associate Fellow of The Nautical Institute, Fellow of RINA, Yachtmaster Ocean, Advanced Powerboat Instructor. Subject matter expertise includes 30 years maritime training, consultancy and strategic product development. Experience includes working in UK / EU / US / Canada with over 100 organisations including military, coast guard, SAR, commercial operators, boat builders, equipment manufacturers, technology developers, designers and regulators. Main focus now is on improving safety and efficiency for sub 24m sectors. His next generation energy knowledge is increasingly relevant for 25m to 100m vessels, plus the ports and harbours they operate from.

How Battery Safety is Evolving – Knowledge Transfer from Other Transport Sectors

Dr John Warner

Chief Customer Officer, American Battery Solutions

Chairman, NAATBatt / Author, Handbook of Lithium-ion Batteries

Dr. John Warner has over 30 years in the automotive and battery industries. He serves as Chief Customer Officer for American Battery Solutions and as Founder and President at Warner Energy Consulting LLC. His journey in the advanced battery sector includes steering five start-ups to success, notably leading American Battery Systems to a strategic acquisition by Komatsu Ltd in 2023. Previously he spent 20 years in the automotive space, including 13 years with General Motors. In addition, he serves as Chairman Emeritus of the industry trade group NAATBatt International and sits on several SAE battery standards committees. Dr Warner has published two books on Lithium-ion batteries, “The Handbook of Lithium-Ion Battery Pack Design� and “Lithium-Ion Chemistries: A Primer�.

Managing Risks of Battery-Electric Systems and Devices - in Vessels, Ports, Shipyards

Albert Willemsen

Safety & Sustainability Lead

International Marine Industry Advisor

Albert Willemsen qualified as an engineer at Department of Defence (Naval Airforce) followed by the aerospace industry in the Netherlands. Since 1988 he has been active in the international marine and Super Yacht industry focusing on how the yachting industry impacts or benefits the environment, and how it has to comply with international sustainability legislations. He has worked with governmental authorities including the IMO, the European Union and national competence authorities. He developed an integrated environmental, health & safety and energy management system for the Dutch marine leisure sector and Super Yacht industry, with focus on all work processes in relation to the European Union and national legislation. Albert is a GMBA technical expert and has been Environment & Sustainability Manager of ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations).

The Challenges of Certifying Battery-Electric Systems in Existing Designs.

Alasdair Reay

Managing Director

HPi Verification Services

Alasdair is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. He started his career on Lloyds Register’s Graduate Training Scheme and spent years working with all different types of marine vehicles from hovercraft to semi-subs. Alasdair moved to be Certification Manager for the Certification Services Department of AEA Technology, the department which ultimately became HPiVS. Alasdair spent a short time as Business Development Manager at ABS before becoming a founding member of the CEproof group of CE marking consultants. He sits on a variety of national and International Standards committees and is Chair of the EU Commission’s Technical sub-committee (RSG) that provides the EU with guidelines for the design & construction of recreational craft and components.

What can the Marine Industry learn from Battery Safety in Real World Applications?

Mark Penny

Commercial Director

Energy Solutions

Battery Containment Systems for Onboard Charging and Storage of Lithium-ion Batteries

James Cunningham

Technical Director

LiVault

A Safer Approach to Small Batteries – Onboard and Onshore

Jon Plackett

Sales & Brand Manager

Paleblue

Identifying the Origin, Cause and Development of Battery and Electrical Fires on Vessels

Peter Mansi

Partner & Forensic Investigator

Fire Investigations UK

Peter Mansi has a PhD in forensic fire investigation, developing a unique and comprehensive methodology by designing a series of 23 Fire Investigation Road Maps (FIRMs) and associated guidance. He served over 30 years as an operational fire officer. Towards the latter part of his career, was Group Manager for the Fire Investigation Team in the London Fire Brigade and Borough Commander for the City of London. Peter has been involved with many of the most high profile fire investigations within the UK and Ireland over the last decade. He has extensive experience of marine incident investigation, including Lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-ion Battery Fires and Explosions – What We Now Know

Paul Christensen

Director, Lithium Safety

Professor Emeritus, Newcastle University

Paul Christensen is Professor Emeritus at Newcastle University, and a Lithium-ion battery safety consultant with over 15 years experience advising both public and private sector clients. He specialises in risk assessment, hazard mitigation and regulatory compliance for advanced energy storage systems. Throughout his career he has partnered with leading manufacturers and integrators in automotive, aviation, grid storage, civil engineering and consumer electronics to identify and mitigate safety hazards, including thermal runaway risks. Also developing and implementing safety strategies across the entire battery lifecycle and ensuring compliance with international standards. His work bridges the gap between technical safety expertise and practical business needs.

How First Responders Manage Battery Thermal Runaway On Vessels and In Ports

Jon Curley

Operational Manager

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue

Jon Curley has extensive experience in heavy rescue training and emergency management, currently serving as a Heavy Rescue UK instructor and development lead at HRUK since January 2016. In addition, Jon has been a certified Heavy Rescue Instructor with the International Association of Heavy Rescue Sweden since January 2012, focusing on advanced lifting and extrication techniques. Jon also holds the position of Operational Manager and trainer at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, specializing in various rescue and firefighting skills since March 2011. Jon's career began at Dorset Fire & Rescue Service as an Operational Manager and Firefighter from May 1995 to January 2011.