Marine Plant Hire Managing Director Appointed to Workboat Association Committee

The Workboat Association is the UK and Europe’s trade, skills and safety standards body for the workboat sector, representing close to 300 owners, operators and industry stakeholders. Collectively, its membership accounts for around 2,000 operational vessels and approximately 8,000 directly employed personnel across the industry. 

Rich’s appointment reflects both his extensive professional experience and Marine Plant Hire’s growing role within the marine civil engineering and workboat sectors. 

Founded in 2022 as a sister company to TMS Ltd, Marine Plant Hire has rapidly evolved into a standalone business, providing specialised workboats, tugs, barges and marine equipment to support complex marine civil engineering projects across the UK and Europe. In 2025, the company became part of the Ancora Group alongside TMS Ltd and Hesselberg Erosion Protection, further strengthening its platform for long-term growth and investment across the marine and civil engineering sectors. 

With more than 27 years in the marine industry, including over two decades at sea, Rich brings a depth of operational and leadership expertise to both Marine Plant Hire and the WA Committee. A Master Mariner Unlimited, his career spans senior command roles across offshore oil and gas, service operation vessels, sail training and public service, including command of the Trinity House vessel Patricia. Alongside his role at Marine Plant Hire, he continues to serve as a Marine Pilot in Plymouth and is a long-standing RNLI volunteer and Helm. 

Commenting on the appointment, Marine Plant Hire highlighted the strategic importance of active industry engagement at a time of significant change and opportunity for the sector. 

“The coming years will see substantial investment in marine infrastructure across the UK and Europe,” said Rich Eggleton. “Alongside that opportunity come challenges from evolving legislation to operational and regulatory complexity. Being part of the Workboat Association Committee allows Marine Plant Hire to contribute meaningfully to industry-wide discussions, collaborate on practical solutions and help shape a safer, more effective operating environment for all.” 

Marine Plant Hire sees the appointment as reinforcing its commitment to high standards, collaboration and long-term sustainability within the workboat industry, while ensuring the perspectives of operators and project delivery specialists are well represented at trade level.