National Maritime award winner!

This one came out of the blue (like a lot of things on Raybel).

Back in the summer we caught news that we'd be nominated for an awards event hosted by National Maritime. NM is the organisation that represents and networks all the small and medium sized companies working in the UK maritime sector - shipping, marine engineering, renewables, heritage, recreation, ports, fisheries - and has over 900 members.

It was exciting to hear, and gave us a little puff of confirmation that we're on the right tack. I took up the invitation, on behalf of the Raybel team, to be at the awards gala dinner - a chance for a good meal and to make some new contacts not to be turned down, though with no great expecttions.

The first big thrill of the evening came with the announcement of the award for 'Best Community Initiative' which ..

🥁🥁🥁

WE WON!

🥳🥳🥳

But then, capping what was turning into a very enjoyable evening, I was gobsmacked to discover that we had also been nominated as a finalist for ‘Best Maritime Company’ category. Although we didn’t win it was humbling to be up alongside some of the most amazing innovative new companies in the marine world and be judged in the best six out of 170 plus nominations.

For a company only going since 2018, this really felt thrilling, putting extra wind in our sails, metaphorically at least, as we move ahead with the work to restore Raybel and get the gear back on board next year. We grateful to all the National Maritime judges. Also to our funders who have made our work possible - the Heritage Fund, Swale Borough Council, Arts Council England Kent Community Foundation and the Swires Trust. And thanks most of all to the Swale community and community collaborators who have taken Raybel to their hearts.

Mark on Raybel