Amy McLellan examines how the RNLI, now entering its third century, is reconfiguring its fleet and redesigning its inshore rescue capability to reflect changes in how we use the sea.

The future of maritime patrol missions lies in smart and scalable autonomous fleets, with naval architects key to driving their performance, explains Martin Conway.

A rubber expansion joint, years overdue for replacement, triggered a complete blackout on the Interislander ro-pax ferry Kaitaki off Wellington Harbour in January 2023. Iain MacIntyre reports on the investigation, the prosecution and the questions that remain.

The shift from heavy fuel oil to low-carbon alternatives promises deep emissions cuts but it also introduces a new generation of safety challenges. The challenge now is ensuring the industry meets its decarbonisation goals without compromising on safety. 

Hydrogen is moving from pilot projects to mainstream maritime adoption, with landmark vessel orders and emerging bunkering hubs signalling growing industry confidence.

How do cutouts affect the performance of laminated composite shells in demanding marine and aerospace environments? Combining laboratory resin-infusion manufacturing, free-vibration testing and validated numerical simulation, researchers revealed key dynamic behaviour patterns. Advanced mass-matrix modelling with rotary inertia and modal assurance verification offers insights for more reliable, maintainable structural designs.

How can simulator design influence engineering competence? By applying ergonomic principles to a full-mission engine room simulator, a redesigned mimic panel improved realism, usability and training effectiveness. The experience highlights how human-centred design can enhance operational learning environments and strengthen the quality of marine engineering education and professional preparedness.

Air-cavity drag reduction is moving closer to practical deployment through research linking cavity performance to controllable hydrodynamic actuators and wedge-shaped cavitators. Using potential-flow modelling, new insights into optimal operating conditions reveal how flow speed and hull trim influence efficiency gains, supporting more energy-efficient ship designs.

Achieving IMO Degree 4 autonomy is reshaping naval certification, with adaptive, goal-based frameworks enabling progression from remotely operated to fully autonomous vessels. Collaboration across UK defence regulators aligns safety and legal principles while addressing emerging architectures, technology risks, and engineering challenges. Early lessons reveal opportunities for scalable certification pathways ahead.

Painting of unknown date of Adelphi Terrace, London - the first headquarters of The Royal Institution of Naval Architects

In the early days, the Institution settled in rooms at Adelphi Terrace, London – first at No. 7, then at No. 9 and finally at No. 5 (the former house of David Garrick). The proximity of Adelphi Terrace to the Royal Society of Arts where John Scott Russell had been Secretary, and where for many years meetings of the Institution were held, made the choice of the Institution’s first headquarters very convenient.

1919-1938 Photograph of unknown date of Adam Street, London

With the reconstruction of Adelphi Terrace after the 1914-1918 war, the Institution moved to the south corner of Adam Street nearby.