HONDA TECHNOLOGY IS APPROVED BY MARINE ENGINEERS OF THE FUTURE

Students from the Coleg Meiron Dwyfor Hafan College visited the Pwllheli Sailing Club this afternoon to admire the impressive fleet of Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboats that have begun to arrive for the start of the first Grand Prix of the 2009 season tomorrow.

The group of up to twenty Marine Engineer students who are taking part on both National Diploma Level 3 and NVQ Level 2 Marine Engineering courses were in awe of the stunning collection of Honda 150hp and 225hp engines that will power the fleet of Honda powerboats this coming weekend at Pwllheli Marina.

Accompanied by course co-ordinator Richard Bufton the group set about to ask the powerboat racers questions about their sport and their involvement with the series. The ‘Power of Dreams Germany’ team of the Honda 225hp fleet were happy to answer any questions that the students asked and even let some of them take a seat in their race boat for a photo opportunity.

Michael Newton, 17, from Dolgellaus spent a few moments with the team manager of Power of Dreams Germany Olaf to find out a little more. “I was asking him where they had been and how many courses they have raced on. It was great to ask about the engines they use and find out first hand about more of the technical aspects of racing. I am hoping to carry on with my course next year and move to Liverpool to take a higher degree of marine engineering.

I was going to join the forces as a Royal Marine Engineering Mechanic, but after getting diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes last year I wasn’t able to join as you cannot drive any vehicles with the condition. I just wanted to get my hands dirty and marine engineering was suggested and I decided to take it as a second option. I am really enjoying the course and if a job was offered to me afterwards I would like to work
with a leading marine manufacturer like Honda.

Richard Bufton from the college commented, “We wanted to introduce the students to the Honda Racing to expand their horizons and look at the technology on display. The more they see of high-tech engines the more their understanding will improve. Some are preparing for aprentership schemes, some for university and some are considering engineering positions in the forces. We are looking to give them as many tools for the future as possible and this is a great opportunity.

A great asset to the college is Richard Tudor who sailed around the World as Skipper of the British Steel Challenge twice from 1992-93 and 1996-97. Being away for up to 9 months at a time and having immense knowledge in the marine industry Richard has become a tremendous attribute to the students of Coleg Meiron Dwyfor Hafan. Since his achievements as a Skipper Richard has also been Commodore of the Pwllheli Sailing Club from 2000-02.

“It is great to share my experience and knowledge as a lecturer at the college working across the board on marine engineering courses. The students have done a lot of research with the new Honda hydrogen engine in comparison to a petrol engine using the Honda Clarity car. We are comparing what will most certainly become the future for marine engines and by using Honda’s example it has given us a great insight into the next generation for the marine industry,” said Richard.

Richard will also be playing a large part in the Honda powerboat weekend when he joins Geoff Matthews, head of Honda UK to present the weekend’s prizes for the top podium places on Sunday’s final at 3:30pm from the Hafan Pwllheli Marina Office front.

Leon Orr, 16 from Harlech was also one of the keen groups interested in this weekend’s Grand Prix and the help he receives from the college. “It is fantastic to have Richard Tudor as a mentor at the college. Richards got the experience from the sailing world and connections at the Sailing Club where we are all members where we can use the ribs with Honda engines on too. We all prefer the Honda engines as they are quiet, reliable and environmentally friendly”.

“I am particularly interested in Honda because they produced the World’s first hydrogen fuelled vehicle with zero emissions . The only waste is water based which causes no harm to the environment,” said Leon.

“If the marine industry can follow Honda’s lead with the hydrogen engine then everything with have to change and people will have to learn new diversifications of existing engineering studies as new technologies are coming in. The college is slowly introducing some of the new modern techniques in our studies,” said Richard Bufton.

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