For productions
Marine Safety for Film & TV
Marine safety supervision, water safety and risk assessment for productions filming on or near water in the South West, from someone who's done it on Poldark, Top Gear and River Monsters, and now works in the AD department.
In short
- I keep cast and crew safe when you film on or near water.
- Risk assessments, safety boats and in-water safety teams.
- Based in Plymouth. I cover Devon, Cornwall, Plymouth Sound and the Bristol Channel.
What I provide
Water risk assessment
A written risk assessment for every water scene, built into the production's paperwork.
Marine safety supervision
On set for water work, making the calls with the 1st AD and stunt coordinator.
Safety boats & in-water teams
Sourcing, briefing and coordinating boat crews and water safety personnel from trusted local operators.
Recce & planning
Tides, weather windows, access, exit points and contingencies, worked out before the unit arrives.
Liaison
Harbour masters, landowners and local operators, so you don't have to.
Accessible production on the coast
Advice on getting disabled cast and crew safely to and from coastal locations.
I know how a unit works
I've trained in the AD department on high-end TV, so I understand what the 1st AD needs: a safety plan that fits the schedule, clear briefings, and someone who knows when to stop the clock and when to keep going.
South West waters
Most marine safety companies are based in London or Scotland. I'm in Plymouth, and I know the South West coast: Plymouth Sound, the Tamar, the Cornish coves and the Bristol Channel. That means realistic tide and weather plans, and local operators I trust.
How the role works
Marine safety supervision is a planning and supervisory role. I assess the risks, write the plan, put the right boats and water safety people in the right places, brief everyone, and oversee the work on the day.
Marine safety on film & TV
Production credits
| Production | Company | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poldark | Mammoth Screen | Marine Safety Supervisor | 2015 |
| Galavant | ABC Studios | Marine Safety Supervisor | 2015 |
| Saved | Back2Back Productions | In-water Safety | 2014 |
| River Monsters | Icon Films | In-water Safety | 2013 |
| Top Gear — hover van build & test | BBC Studios | Marine Safety Supervisor | 2013 |
| Top Gear — hover van river trial | BBC Studios | Safety Boat Operator | 2013 |
| Top Gear — underwater Lotus | BBC Studios | Safety Boat Operator | 2012 |
| Deadly 60 | BBC Natural History Unit | Safety Diver | 2012 |
Background & qualifications
- HSE Part 4 commercial diver
- RYA commercial endorsement — powerboat under 24m
- Mark Milsome Film & TV Safety Passport
- ScreenSkills HETV Trainee Finder, assistant director department
- Former lecturer, commercial diving programme, Plymouth University
How it works
Step 1: Brief
Send the scenes, locations and dates. I'll tell you quickly what the water work needs.
Step 2: Recce
Tides, weather, access and exit points checked on the ground.
Step 3: Plan
A written risk assessment and safety plan, agreed with the 1st AD and stunt coordinator.
Step 4: On the day
Safety briefing, boats and water safety team in position, and the calls made.
Step 5: Wrap
A debrief and notes, so the next water day runs even smoother.
Questions
Do you supply the boats and water safety team?
I source them from trusted local operators, brief them and supervise them, so you deal with one person for all of it.
Can you write the risk assessment before the recce?
I'll draft one from the script and location details, then finalise it after the recce.
Do you work outside the South West?
Yes, though local knowledge is where I add most. For other regions I'll be clear about whether I'm the right fit.
Filming on the water?
Send me the scene breakdown, locations and dates and I'll come back with what you'll need and what it'll take.