Steam Packet chairman Lars Ugland, who recently defended staff in a Covid row, has added another string to his bow by joining the board of an island maritime technology business.

Mr Ugland is a senior maritime industry executive and has been appointed to the board of Tapiit Live, which claims it is the only maritime technology business providing livestreamed, interactive training at sea.

A Norwegian national, who moved to the Isle of Man in 2007 and comes from a long line of ship owners, builders, charterers and managers, Mr Ugland is a former chairman and director of a number of family-owned shipping businesses and is the current non-executive chairman of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.

He is joining Tapiit Live, which has an office in Cooil Road, Braddan, in a similar non-executive capacity to help further raise the profile of the business across all maritime sectors.

Mr Ugland believes Tapiit Live delivers a service that has the potential to transform the industry.

He said: ’As the world’s first company to offer interactive livestream training, Tapiit is leading the way and driving a shift in the delivery of maritime training.’

Mr Ugland added: ’I was hugely impressed to see Tapiit Live’s technological solution going live in the significant contract with (satellite telecommunications company) Inmarsat, which allows their modules to be livestreamed to over 10,000 vessels.

’Their ability also to provide bespoke training dependent on a company’s needs is a game changer for the maritime industry, at a time when it needs it most.’

Richard Turner, Tapiit Live chief executive, said he was delighted to welcome Mr Ugland to the team.

Mr Turner said: ’We look forward to working with Lars and benefitting from his vast insight into the shipping sector.

’Though our roots are on the Isle of Man, we will work together to tell the world about our ’’virtual’’ classroom, which is transforming training from clicking buttons and ticking boxes, to a fully interactive experience with the potential to change behaviours and cultures.

’Having him join us not only presents a major strategic boost, but it also signals our intent within the industry and our desire to become the number one maritime training solutions provider.’

Last month Mr Ugland reassured Steam Packet crew members they had followed on-board safety rules to the letter. He wrote to the company’s staff following an investigation into Covid safety protocols.

In his letter to crew members, Mr Ugland said: ’As an ex-seaman from deep sea shipping, I am very aware of the dedication required to be working on board a vessel. Unfortunately, this is not always appreciated by people who do not have an understanding of working at sea.

’Rumour and misinformation regarding the Covid protocols required by staff throughout the pandemic had caused stress and mistrust.’

Also last month it was announced two senior figures in the Steam Packet, who between them have amassed more than half a century of dedicated service to the Manx ferry company are to retire later this year.

Chief executive officer Mark Woodward and commercial director John Watt will both stand down from their roles in July.