The Keith Cowan

Ship named in honour of St Olaves and Lowestoft-based engineer

Friday, August 31, 2012
6:30 AM

For most of his life he was dedicated to working at sea.

And now the career of Keith Cowan, from St Olaves, near Great Yarmouth, who helped take the helm of offshore company has had his life remembered in style by having a state of the art ship named as a fitting tribute to him.

Mr Cowan, who was technical director at Boston Putford Offshore Safety in Lowestoft, died in October 2010 aged 66.

He was highly regarded as an expert in marine engineering after spending more than 40 years in the maritime industry.

As a tribute to Mr Cowan’s career and expertise Boston Putford, which is an off-shoot of American-based Seacor, has named an offshore industry boat in his honour.

The Keith Cowan is 265ft long and is due to start operating next month as a anchor-handling tug vessel which will tow and anchors rigs into position and can act as an emergency rescue craft if called upon.

The company arranged for his wife Fiona and his children to be flown out to America to name and launch the large boat in Panama City, Florida.