Opening address

MR J. A. DERRINGTON, Vice-President of the Institution of Civil Engineers

This Conference deals with the design and construction of offshore structures. In the Royal Charter (1828) of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Tredgold defined the profession of civil engineer as, 'the art of directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and convenience of man1, and this is particu larly appropriate for offshore works. For in them fthe great sources of power in nature' from wind, wave and sea are experienced in a manner requiring the greatest of respect, and the rewards achieved by successful exploitation of the hydrocarbon deposits under the sea bed (among others) provide abundant energy - one of the basic needs of civilization - and are cer tainly ffor the use and convenience of man1.