The Late John Craggs

The Society of Maritime Industries is saddened to learn of the death of Honorary Member, John Craggs at the age of 83.

John was an experienced shipyard and marine industry consultant. He studied at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, gaining a BSc degree in Naval Architecture and an MSc in Shipbuilding. He was a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. He joined A & P Appledore in 1972 and was Managing Director of its technical division in Newcastle from 1981 to 1987.

Following a period as Technical Director of Highland Participants he became one of the founders of Pendennis Shipyard, which was at that time part of Highland Participants, and was the first Managing Director. In 1991, he established a new marine consultancy, First Marine International (FMI), which quickly established its credentials as one of the premier consultancies of its type operating for clients all over the world. In 2008, FMI was sold to the Dutch engineering consultants Haskoning, for whom John worked, initially as an Advisory Group Director, before taking semi-retirement as a part-time Technical Director with them.

John was one of the longest serving board directors, first on the board of the British Marine Equipment Council (BMEC) and then on the board of SMI, serving in all from 1998 to 2020. His many years of service to SMI was recognised by John being appointed an Honorary Member in 2021.

The sector has lost one of the maritime sectors great champions and will be missed by those many colleagues who knew him.

Former Chair of the SMI Board, Peter French, commented :

“John was quietly spoken but always had something interesting to say; one of life’s gentlemen”.