Electrical System Design
At Crest Marine Services, our approach to electrical system design is built on real-world experience, technical expertise, and a strong commitment to safety, reliability, and innovation.
A Career Built on Understanding What Works — and What Doesn’t
My career began as a maintenance engineer, which gave me a solid foundation in fault-finding and a deep understanding of how electrical systems perform in the real world. Years of hands-on experience made one thing clear: good design isn’t just about how a system works in theory — it’s about how it performs in reality.
That mindset led me into design and development. When the opportunity came to become an Electrical Development and Design Engineer, I jumped at it — and took on sole responsibility for designing point-of-sale display units used by major household-name brands. These units were shipped across the globe in the thousands and had to comply with international safety and electrical standards.
Unfortunately, I quickly discovered that my predecessor had no formal electrical training — something that became painfully obvious when, in my first week, I was called to investigate a “thermal incident.” One of the units had caught fire in a London pharmacy. Apparently, this wasn’t a one-off… but I felt that catching fire was, in fact, a design flaw. I redesigned those units to make sure they didn’t burst into flames — and that users couldn’t get electrocuted either.
Engineering with Accountability
As part of that role, I also became the final checkpoint for any electrical components being brought into the business. While procurement teams chased the lowest price, I was the gatekeeper — making sure nothing dangerous, substandard, or unsuitable made it into a final product. Along the way, I received CE marking training and designed consistently to international standards.
My HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering was backed by certified training in SolidWorks 2D, 3D, and electrical design, giving me the tools to bring projects from concept to production, safely and efficiently.
Design Experience That Goes Beyond the Workshop
After that, I moved into the world of commercial vehicle systems as an Electrical Development Engineer. Here, I worked on specialist vehicle conversions for the largest fleet operator in Europe — designing complex systems for bomb disposal vehicles, mobile welfare vans, mountain rescue ambulances, and incident command units capable of satellite communication with COBRA.
This role gave me deep experience with:
Battery systems and power management
Charging solutions and alternator integration
Integration with third-party and OEM systems
End-to-end electrical design and installation
What That Means for Crest Marine Services Clients
When I design a marine electrical system — whether it’s a complete refit, a custom charging solution, or system integration for onboard technology — it comes with years of experience behind it. I’ve seen what fails, and I know what works. My priority is always safety, compliance, and long-term performance.
All installations are carried out to the standards set out in ISO 13297 (small craft electrical systems) and in line with the British Marine Electrical & Electronic Code of Practice. These standards ensure that every system is safe, reliable, and fit for purpose — whether you’re heading out for a weekend sail or relying on your vessel for commercial operations.
Crest Marine Services is proud to be a member of British Marine and the British Marine Electrical & Electronic Association, and is currently working towards becoming a Victron Approved Installer — a mark of excellence in marine power systems.
If you’re looking for a bespoke electrical design that meets your needs now and into the future — whether for a small leisure vessel or a commercial workboat — I’d love to help.
