South Shields Marine School - Summer 2016 - Leading Lights - www.stc.ac.uk 1 Farewell to John Hewett Fifteen years ago he joined us as a trainee lecturer. He is now leaving as a leader, friend and inspiration to others. World-class Fire Centre Seafarers and other professionals are turning to South Shields Marine School’s new training facility. Turning of the tides Meet the first woman to take the controls of the historic cross-Tyne ferry service. Summer 2016
Transcript
South Shields Marine School - Summer 2016 - Leading Lights - www.stc.ac.uk 1
Farewell to John HewettFifteen years ago he joined us
Although every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in the publication is correct, South Shields Marine School accepts no responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies that may occur or their consequence. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced whole or in part without the permission of South Shields Marine School.
South Shields Marine School
/south-shields-marine-school
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Head of SchoolSimulation, Deck
Senior Marine
Jeremy GoughHead of School
DOOW Programmes
Simon AshtonHead of SchoolMarine Offshore Safety Training
Michael SpearsHead of SchoolHigher Education
Marine Engineering
Kevin LundHead of School
Senior Marine Engineering & CPD
John RoachHead of School
FE/EOOW/Workshops
Marie Flatman
Key Contacts
In this edition of Leading Lights, we cover this year’s South Shields Marine School Annual Row, a race for charity down the river Tyne. I can safely say ‘we’ enjoyed it - as most of us were spectators, watching the seven teams gamely row the eight miles from Newcastle to South Shields. Last year’s row received excellent national press coverage, which included a feature in the BBC2 series Sea Cities. So good was coverage that we attracted more boats and more commercial sponsors for this year’s race, all contributing to
a great day’s enjoyment and to over a £1,000 being raised for Seafarers UK, our chosen charity. A grateful thanks to all those who sponsored the race.
Focusing on our training and education provision, our UK enrolment numbers have risen this year as increasing numbers of senior certification courses are delivered to meet rising demand. This increase in professional development highlights that the maritime industry continues to attract, and more importantly retain its staff, ensuring that you will have access to increased numbers of management level personnel.
Our social media presence is increasing and it has become one of the main communication channels for news and interest. We are keen to increase this further and we will be encouraging students of all ages to contribute their images and comments to show fellow mariners the interesting facets of this industry, and to also show the public the importance of the shipping industry in their everyday lives. One such promotion took place during
Seafarers Awareness Week and saw Seafarers UK team up with Fyffes to create learning materials aimed at Key Stage one pupils. The materials include fun activities, posters and stickers, and the children are asked to take part in a maritime/nautical dress-up day. Our local Ridgeway Primary Academy, which is part of the South Tyneside College group, enthusiastically took part and managed to temporarily reduce their interest in another ongoing classroom project - growing plant seeds returned from the International Space Station.
To further improve our support to you and your colleagues, we have enhanced our website by upgrading the on-line booking system to enable our short course provision, especially the refresher training, to be fully booked on line. We hope that this will save you time and effort in ensuring all certification is up to date. This is one example of how we monitor the feedback we receive to improve our services to you, and we welcome any further suggestion you can make to assist further.
Gary Hindmarch Marine School Principal
Welcome to the latest edition of Leading Lights.
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Captain Keith Richard Dias
Course studied: BTEC Nautical Science
Role: Marine Operations Superintendent
Alumni Captain Keith Richard Dias
South Shields Marine School Alumni
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Your relationship with South Shields Marine School does not have to end when you finish your course. As a former student you remain a valued member of our community.
It doesn’t matter where you are located or what you are doing, you are still part of our global community and we’d love to hear from you.
Our Alumni is committed to helping former learners, friends and supporters maintain a lifelong connection to the marine school. Our Alumni allows you to keep up to date with the latest news and stay in contact with other alumni.
Tell us about your career!We want to shout about your achievements, and so ask you provide us with your profile. You might even feature in our promotional materials. Please contact [email protected] for a profile form. You can also join our Alumni group on LinkedIn.
Focal points of his role include client interface, internal auditing, inspections and reviewing his organisation’s safety management systems.
Keith enriched his career at South Shields Marine School in 2002, his BTEC course playing a leading role in launching his seagoing and onshore career.
He said: “After obtaining a BTEC in Nautical Science, I worked on bulk carriers and tankers. I soon rose to
the rank of Master Mariner. When I came ashore, I got a job in Abu Dhabi, UAE as a Port Captain. Shortly after, I progressed to Marine Superintendent in Doha, Qatar.
“I enjoyed the way each course module was well presented and we were strictly monitored, cultivating a sense of pride in myself and my work. Staff really ensured that we knew our stuff, and that knowledge really did help enhance the basic foundation for my future.”
Ever since Keith stepped on a training ship during a school visit, he has been fascinated by the sea. The school trip sparked a desire to embark on a career at sea and that passion lives on today. Now Marine Operations Superintendent for a major offshore ship-owner company, Keith is responsible for the selection, training and annual appraisals of sailing staff including captains, deck officers, cadets and ratings.
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This includes the design and specification of the new MARLIN Feeder Container vessel of the future and most recently a modular PSV project to be constructed in selected shipyards in China to high European standards. These latest projects follow on from several other projects of industry interest including Graig’s highly acclaimed Diamond 53 and Diamond 34 Double skinned bulk carriers.
Philip added: “As I approach 60, and before I retire, I hope to continue to bring value to both Graig as a company and most importantly to our clients and in so doing promote excellence in the shipping arena. These are difficult times for ship owners and it is essential that ships are operated in the most effective manner, while meeting or exceeding the very latest legislation. I hope I can continue to add value to this process.”
“I qualified in Class 4, Class 2 and Class 1 motor certificates, taking oral examinations in Newcastle, having received further training at South Shields Marine School for both Class 2 and Class 1 examinations. I spent about five years as Second Engineer and a further five years as Chief Engineer, mostly on Capesize bulk carriers, before being invited to come ashore in 1993 in the role of Superintendent and Surveyor.
“I gained management experience of car carriers, container ships, bulk carriers, heavy lift vessels and offshore.
“In 1995 I became involved in vessel design and specifications, moving into Newbuilding Supervision as a Project Manager for a series of 19 MPCV/Heavy lift vessels, spending three years in China, as well as being promoted to technical director of Graig Ship Management in 1997.
“In 2006 I was made group technical director, at the same time reducing my involvement in the management activities of the group. In 2010 I was appointed to the main board of Graig Shipping PLC to complement directorship of several other group companies.”
In his current role, Philip is responsible for all technical matters across the Graig group of companies. He provides consultancy and shipyard liaison on the specifications and engine selection of newbuilding projects for the Graig group and other shipowners and clients.
And it all started in a small village in Northumberland…
Philip said: “I grew up in a small coastal Northumberland village called Alnmouth, and we were surrounded on three sides by water. So, the sea, you could say, is in my blood.
“The only career advice we ever had at my local secondary school was a trip to Shilbottle Colliery, so it was either the coalface or the wide open vastness of the ocean. How could I have chosen otherwise?”
Philip took his love for the sea and applied it to his studies when he joined South Shields Marine School in 1975.
“I consider that the training I received, as well as the strong guidance and advice from those in charge at South Shields Marine School, gave me all the skills that I have successfully utilised in the years since.
“I started my cadetship in 1975. My training was split, with phase one covered by a local north eastern shipping entrepreneur, having spent almost a year in coastal shipping prior to my cadetship.”
Of Philip’s 42 years in shipping, 39 have been with Graig, which provides technical management to Ship Owners and Consultancy and Management Support Services to major shipping banks with interests in vessels of all types.
“My training was taken over in phase two through to phase three by Graig. I graduated at the end of 1978.
Philip Atkinson has enjoyed a successful maritime career which has spanned over 42 years. He is now a Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Marine Engineer, a Fellow of the IMarEST, a Fellow of RINA and a past Chairman of the South Wales branch of the IMarEST. He is also a member of the British Committee of Class NKK, a member of the West Europe and Africa Technical Committee of Class DNVGL and Vice Chairman of the Cardiff and Bristol Channel Incorporated Shipowners Association…
“I chose a career at sea because I wanted to see the world. Getting well paid was just an added bonus!”
Farewell John Hewett
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It has been over 15 years since John Hewett walked through the door as a trainee lecturer at South Shields Marine School. Since then, he has worked his way up through the ranks, from lecturer to senior lecturer to curriculum leader.
John began his career at sea in 1972 after changing from electronic engineering. That year he joined Stag Line as a cadet, and seven years later was sailing as Chief Officer on foreign-going bulk carriers.
John said: “I chose a career at sea because I wanted to see the world. Getting well paid was just an added bonus!”
In 1990 John left the Merchant Navy and joined the offshore oil industry, where he stayed for nine years, working on semi-submersible drilling and accommodation rigs, from BCO to OIM and then later as Marine Representative.
John joined the South Shields Marine School in 1999 as a trainee lecturer at the Radar Station, initially teaching navigation aids, radar and ARPA simulation (NARAS).
As curriculum leader John supports the head of school in delivering high quality training. He is also responsible for the day-to-day and weekly running of the Marine Simulation Centre.
He added: “My time at South Shields Marine School has been an enjoyable experience, which was totally different to my sea and offshore career. I’ll miss all of my colleagues.”
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The new recruits are split across several departments, including School of Deck Officer of the Watch, School of Engineering Officer of the Watch, and School of Senior Marine and Simulation.
Tamara Topic, a former university lecturer and yacht consultant, was running a business in the superyacht industry, before she made the move to South Shields Marine School.
She said: “My experience was mainly in the superyacht industry, yacht construction, brokerage and the charter of crewed luxury yachts. I was working as a lecturer in quality assurance while running a business in the demanding superyacht world. I choose to step out of this dynamic business to provide stability and more Mummy time to my two children.
South Shields Marine School has expanded its team by welcoming 12 new members of staff.
New staff to train the seafarers of tomorrow
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“The highlight of my day is when I present a complex problem to my students and I see how happy they get when they thoroughly understand the concept – it is the best reward I can ever expect.
“All this would not be possible without a great working atmosphere at South Shields Marine School and brilliant colleagues and teamwork in our engineering department.”
Jonathan West, a former student of South Shields Marine School, has been appointed as a lecturer in the School of Deck Officer of the Watch.
He said: “I previously attended South Shields Marine School for a variety of courses and always enjoyed my experience here.
From left to right as follows - Kevin O’Neill, Matthew Tucker, James Harrison, Tamara Topic, Ray Fitzsimmons, Stuart Morrison, Alan Peden, Seamus Moran, Mohammad Orangian, John Raffell, Steven Dodd, Jonathan West, Ty Wilson
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“I came from the Jubilee Sailing Trust, a small charity that allows able bodied and disabled members of the public to go on adventure sailing holidays on board one of their two tall ships. I worked as Chief Mate for a number of years.
“I enjoy seeing the students understand new concepts and take on responsibility for their own learning.”
Another new member of staff who previously studied at South Shields Marine School is Kevin O’Neill. A former Senior Marine Superintendent at Four Handy Limited, Kevin has over 20 years’ experience in the industry.
Matthew Tucker started his maritime career over 19 years ago with P&O Nedlloyd and is now a lecturer in the School of Simulation and Senior Marine.
He said: “I started as a ‘deck boy’ in 1997 with P&O Nedlloyd, before being made redundant and starting work for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. After spending over 10 years with them as an AB, I decided to further my career and obtained my OOW certification in 2010, after which I accepted a job with Carnival UK (P&O/Cunard cruises). I sailed with them as a third and second officer.
“I wanted to work for the marine school, as I had already heard of the good reputation of the school. When I saw the job vacancy, it appealed to me.
“I’m currently assisting with delivering the NAREST (OPS) course and so far so good. I am still new to the job at the moment, so I couldn’t say which bit I like best. However, I do enjoy the hands-on, practical element of the marine simulator.
“I’d like to pass on my knowledge and experiences to the new generation of seafarers to keep Britain’s fine Merchant Navy reputation alive and kicking.”
Seamus Moran previously worked as a Chief Officer at Arklow Shipping, a shipping company based in the Republic of Ireland.
He said: “I hope to bring my experience and knowledge to my students. I had been at sea from 1990 until last year, and had worked my way up through the ranks from Assistant Steward to Chief Officer, so hopefully I can impart some of the knowledge that I have gained throughout my career.”
James Harrison, a former Field Service Technician at Franks International, has taken up the post of Marine Engineering Lecturer.
He said: “I served my time at South Shields Marine School as an Engineering Cadet and always wanted to come into lecturing. I always liked the area and enjoyed my time here, so decided to join the marine school.
“I have a strong interest in mathematics and engineering, so feel that teaching students subject areas that I enjoy working in is the favourite part of my job, especially when students work hard and achieve good results and reach their goals.
“I hope to bring enthusiasm and positivity to my role at South Shields Marine School. I want to help students achieve their goals, and aim to promote a positive learning environment.”
Gary Hindmarch, Principal of South Shields Marine School, welcomed the new appointments, saying: “We are excited to be appointing such high-calibre lecturers who are recognised for their expertise and industry experience.
“These latest appointments show our commitment to our students, to only employ the most dedicated and experienced teaching staff.”
“I’d like to pass on my knowledge and
experiences to the new generation of
seafarers to keep Britain’s fine Merchant
Navy reputation alive and kicking.”
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Governors New Appointments
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Former South Shields Marine School engineer Terry Cornick has sailed full circle by returning as a governor
Almost 50 years after leaving to embark on a hugely successful maritime career, former South Shields Marine School engineer Terry Cornick has returned as a governor.
Terry was just 16 when he moved from Dorset in 1965 for three years of study at our world-famous training centre, which is part of South Tyneside College.
After passing his exams, he spent nearly 20 years as a sea-going engineer, before returning permanently to shore in a succession of high-level positions with major shipping companies.
These included working in the technical department at P&O Containers, as managing director of US firm Sea-Land’s UK ship-owning subsidiary, and chief executive of The Maersk Company, from where he retired in 2014.
Now 67, and after a professional life based largely in London and Newcastle, Terry settled with his wife Lesley, in South Shields in 2006.
He said: “I was very happy to be asked to be a governor, because I feel I owed a debt to the marine school, it’s where I started my career.
“I returned for two brief periods to do my first and second class certificates, and always maintained a keen interest in it over the years.
“While I was at Maersk, we trained a lot of our cadets at the college, so I knew about the progress it was making.
“I have a great deal of maritime experience and feel I can especially assist as a governor through my commercial knowledge and business sense.
“There have been a lot of changes within the marine school in those 50 years but they have been very positive.
“I’m hugely impressed by the way it has modernised yet remained one of the world’s great maritime training centres.”
Gary Hindmarch, Principal of South Shields Marine School, said: “Terry brings with him great commercial expertise and his talent and experience are real assets.
“We are delighted that he is willing to use his wealth of experience to assist us in the governance of the marine school.
“Much has changed since he first arrived here, but one thing that is the same is the first-class training we continue to give to all our cadets and senior marine students.”
During his initial studies, Terry was apprenticed to UK cargo and passenger shipping company Ellerman Lines, in whose London technical department he worked as a superintendent when he first came ashore.
He moved to P&O Containers in the 1980s, a period of consolidation in the UK shipping industry as a result of mergers and acquisitions.
After leaving P&O in the early 1990s, he joined Sea-Land, initially as a superintendent but soon after as managing director of the UK ship-owning subsidiary.
Sea-Land was taken over in 1999 by Copenhagen-based Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping company, which was where Terry remained in a variety of positions, mostly based in London and Newcastle, until his retirement.
He is now involved in the Marine Society and Sea Cadets at branch and unit levels.
Terry Cornick, Governor
“I was very happy to be asked to be a governor, because I feel I owed a debt to the marine school, it’s where I started my career.”
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World-class Fire Centre
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Seafarers and other professionals requiring expertise to escape safely from enclosed spaces in an emergency can now benefit from world-class training at a new facility at South Shields Marine School.
The Marine and Offshore Safety Training Centre’s (MOST) two-storey enclosed spaces building provides a state-of-the-art environment for learning how to avoid injury or loss of life in dangerous environments.
Instructors teach the techniques needed prior to entering an area which may have an oxygen deprived or toxic atmosphere and also the risks to consider before a rescue or escape is attempted.
The centre has been built and operated by South Shields Marine School, in response to a significant number of accidents in the Merchant Navy, caused by a lack of awareness of the hazards of entering enclosed spaces on board ships.
Although South Shields Marine School is a world-leader in training cadets for a life at sea, the training centre at MOST will also support people working in enclosed spaces on land.
The facility will undertake courses approved by national awarding bodies to ensure that all personnel entering enclosed or confined spaces can be trained to the highest standard.
Gary Hindmarch, Principal of South Shields Marine School, said: “There is a continuous need for enclosed spaces training in the Merchant Navy, and we have responded to that.
Seafarers and other professionals are turning to South Shields Marine
School’s new training facility
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“Figures show that up to 50 per cent of people killed in an enclosed space are the rescuers themselves. We want to show people how difficult it is to enter an enclosed space to undertake a rescue and to ensure they have the right training to do so.
“This is a wonderful new facility and adds to the comprehensive training already given at the Marine and Offshore Safety Training Centre.”
MOST began enclosed spaces training for seafarers about 10 years ago in an existing fire building at its base by the Tyne in Wapping Street, South Shields.
That building is designed primarily to teach people how to safely tackle a fire on a ship, and blazes can be set to individual training requirements.
The scope of instruction was widened three years ago to include all marine school cadets undergoing their first phase training, a position since formalised by the Merchant Navy Training Board.
But accidents on Merchant Navy vessels highlighted the critical nature of enclosed spaces training and the potentially life-saving benefits of better instruction.
Plans for a bespoke building hit the drawing board in mid-2015, along with those for a second on-site fire training building.
The enclosed spaces centre was officially opened by Kevin Slade, chairman of the MNTB.
He said: “I believe the UK is the world leader in safety training, and it’s great that South Shields Marine School is investing in this specialist training to such a high standard.
“Cadets are the ambassadors who will be on ships, possibly with people of many nationalities, and the skills needed in enclosed spaces are very important.
“What they learn here can prove very important throughout their careers.”
Training at the centre is being carried out by Impeller, run by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.
John Baines, Executive Chairman of Impeller, said: “We welcome this exciting opportunity for Impeller to deliver high quality training for the marine and offshore industry in partnership with South Tyneside College, which operates South Shields Marine School, at these first class facilities.”
More information on training at MOST is available by calling: 0191 427 3772 or emailing [email protected]
Those entering the enclosed spaces building can be set a number of scenarios, with various light settings available – including pitch black - and can be required to wear breathing apparatus.
They will usually navigate their way through a split level ground floor, seeking access through a tunnel or ladder, with access also available to the flat roof.
Training sessions can be for up to 20 people and are split between theory and practical sessions, taking about seven hours.
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Female sailor Nicola Peach, who refreshed her skills at South Shields Marine School, is helping turn the tide of equality by becoming the first ever woman to take the controls of the historic cross-Tyne ferry service.
Meet the first woman to take the controls of the historic cross-Tyne
ferry service.
Turning of the tides
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Nicola, 37 from Marsden, near South Shields, who spent eight years in the Merchant Navy, has made history by taking on the role of second mate.
Records show there has been a ferry service between North Shields and South Shields since 1377, but it has always been a male-dominated affair.
In October 2015 she trained at our Marine Safety Offshore Training Centre, one of the UK’s most sought after sea survival venues, based on the banks of the Tyne in South Shields.
Nicola undertook PSC & RB Survival Craft and Rescue Boat, Personal Sea Survival, Basic Firefighting, and Advanced Firefighting courses.
Of her new role, she said: “It’s a proud moment for me to become the first woman to take the wheel of the Shields Ferry.
“It’s not something that I initially thought about when I got the job, but it’s nice to know that I’m the first.
“The Shields Ferry is an iconic service, and I’m really looking forward to learning the job and passing my boat master’s licence.”
Nicola is now learning the controls and will sit the maritime equivalent of a driving test, which will allow her to pilot the ferry with passengers on board.
“It’s a proud moment for me to become the first woman to take the wheel of the Shields Ferry.”
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During her time in the Merchant Navy, Nicola travelled all over the world and worked on board giant cargo ships and oil tankers.
And those skills mean that she has taken to the much smaller craft like a duck to water.
She added: “My time in the Merchant Navy has stood me in good stead as I’m used to driving ships.
“The ferry is vastly different of course, but I’ve got the hang of it really quickly and I’m looking forward to taking my test as soon as possible.
“The lads have been great showing me the ropes. There are a lot of procedures to learn but I’m in great hands.
“My reserve parking is absolutely amazing, just like it is in the car.”
Shields Ferry manager Carol Timlin, who became the first woman to manage the service when she took on the role in 2008, said: “Nicola is our first female member of the crew and we’re all thrilled for her. It’s an historic moment for the ferry service.
“She was the outstanding candidate during the interviews and she is undoubtedly the best person for the job.
“Her test will be supervised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. She will have absolutely no problem fitting in with the rest of the crew and she’s already part of the team.”
“She was the outstanding candidate
during the interviews and she is
undoubtedly the best person for the job.”
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2016 Graduation
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Thirty-six students from around the globe are celebrating success after gaining HNC Nautical Science, FD Marine Engineering, FD Electro-Technical Engineering or HND Marine Engineering qualifications.
“They can now look forward to hugely satisfying careers, seeing the world in well paid jobs as they go.
“Their success is also a credit to South Shields Marine School’s skilled tutors who have supported them at every step of their learning.”
The cadets were presented with their graduation scrolls by South Tyneside College governor David Byrne.
Dr Lindsey Whiterod OBE, Chief Executive of South Tyneside College, which operates the marine school, said: “It is very enjoyable to be able to congratulate these students on their achievements.
“South Shields Marine School is renowned the world over for the quality of its teaching and the expertise of its lecturing team – there is nowhere better to learn the skills required to join the Merchant Navy.
“Graduating from this marine school is a clear sign to shipping companies that they are employing someone with the right credentials to do an amazing job.
“I congratulate those who have graduated and wish them every success for the future.”
They include Vinod Phogat, 36, from India, Mathew Oates, 27, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and Gareth Gorton, 24, from Plymouth, who were presented with awards for outstanding individual commitment to learning.
All are now preparing for well paid jobs with the world-leading shipping companies they were sponsored by during their training.
Gary Hindmarch, Principal of South Shields Marine School, said: “I congratulate all of the cadets on gaining their essential professional qualifications.
“Each has worked very hard throughout and shown the dedication and commitment to learning that is required to pass these high level and high quality courses.
“They can now look forward to hugely satisfying careers, seeing the world in well paid jobs as they go.”
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Farewell, Thivyan Sermugam
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South Tyneside College is bidding a fond farewell to our Students’ Union president Thivyan Sermugam, who has graduated after the successful completion of his HND in marine engineering.
known and understood, Thivyan - who is from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur - undertook the role with dedication and commitment.
Gary Hindmarch, Principal of South Shields Marine School said: “Thivyan had ambitious ideas for the works the union should be doing and did well in that position.
“He also did well on his course, from which he successfully graduated. We will be sorry to see him go and wish him well in the future.”
A fond farewell to our Students’ Union president.
Thivyan – or TK as he is better known to us – made waves last year by becoming the first overseas student to hold the president’s position, being voted in by his peers just a month after starting the one-year course.
He was also the first student with South Shields Marine School, which is part of South Tyneside College, to attain the post.
Elected on a manifesto of creating greater cross-campus student links, promoting more clubs and societies, and making the union’s activities better
“He also did well on his course, from which he successfully graduated. We will be sorry to see him go and wish him well in the future.”
Thivyan served alongside Students’ Union vice-president Jed Calcutt, who added: “TK did a good job with the union and I’m pleased that he has done well on his course at the college too.
“We will all be sorry to see him go, but it’s great that he has achieved his academic ambitions with us.”
The Students’ Union provides students with social activities and acts as link between them and the college’s management team.
Every student becomes a member of the union upon enrolment, and a new committee is elected every year.
Fellowship Award Andrew Moffat CBE
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The man behind the Port of Tyne’s rapid recent growth and success.
“He is a prominent and respected figure, whose talents and endeavour are rightly recognised.”
Dr Lindsey Whiterod OBE, Chief Executive of South Tyneside College
Andrew Moffat CBE has told of his pride at becoming only the twelfth recipient of South Tyneside College’s coveted Dr Winterbottom Fellowship Award.
The Newcastle University economics graduate said the college and the Port of Tyne had enjoyed a lengthy shared history of playing important roles within the communities they serve.
The award is named after Dr Thomas Winterbottom, whose financial legacy led to the creation of the original marine school in 1861 from which today’s South Shields Marine School, now part of South Tyneside College, grew. Given for services to the college, the marine industry or the borough of South Tyneside, the award is for those in academia, industry, science, commerce, the arts, community, public and voluntary service or business.
Mr Moffat, Port of Tyne Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am enormously proud to accept this award which honours
Dr Winterbottom who founded the now internationally acclaimed South Shields Marine College - which was established at around the same time as the Port of Tyne’s predecessors.
“The Port of Tyne has a shared history and continues to work closely with South Tyneside College and it is fitting that this award also recognises the significance of the port as part of the local community and wider maritime industry.”
Dr Lindsey Whiterod OBE, Chief Executive of South Tyneside College, added: “Andrew is a tireless champion of the North East and has done much to raise its economic fortunes through the strategic growth of the Port of Tyne.
“He is a prominent and respected figure, whose talents and endeavour are rightly recognised through an award for those who have done much for the marine industry and industry in general in South Tyneside and the wider region.
Mr Moffat was appointed to his current role in November 2008, and since then the port has invested over £120m improving the capacity of its diverse businesses, which encompass conventional and bulk cargoes, car terminals, cruise and ferry, logistics and estates.
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Student Award Jamie Loftus-Burke
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Jamie Loftus-Burke, 24, who is employed by SSTG, was named top cadet on the radio maintenance course.
He said: “I was very honoured and privileged to receive the ROA award.
“I was an electrician before I chose this career. It has always been an interest of mine to work at sea, but it
wasn’t until I actually started I found out my grandfather was in the Merchant Navy himself.
“I am currently working at sea as an ETO on board a passenger vessel.”
Kevin Lund, Head of School for Marine Higher Education, said: “Jamie is a well-deserved winner. He made an outstanding effort during his studies, which is clearly reflected in him being named cadet of the year by the
Radio Officers’ Association.”
A South Shields Marine School student has been honoured by the Radio Officers’
Association (ROA) by receiving its prize for Electro-Technical Officers.
Starting his career as a trainee accountant with Northumbrian Water, he switched to the rapidly growing mobile telecommunications sector in 1989, where he worked for over 17 years within international companies in financial, commercial and strategic roles.
He joined the Port of Tyne as Finance and Commercial Director from 3 UK, a telecoms subsidiary of Hong Kong based multi-national conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa, where he was Chief Finance Officer.
Before that, Mr Moffat worked for sister company 3 Italia in Milan as Chief Finance Officer, and has also held a number of senior roles within Orange, including UK Director of Strategy and Group Financial Controller.
He was named a Commander of the British Empire in the New Year’s Honours list 2016 for services to the North East economy and UK ports.
Mr Moffat is also a director of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, sits on the Regional Council of the CBI, and is a board member for the NELEP, an organisation focused on the delivery of economic regeneration.
Other fellows are Ray Spencer MBE, Geoff Ford MBE, John Lightfoot MBE, Captain Ian McNaught, Captain Nigel Palmer OBE, Captain Graham Westgarth, Jean Stokes, Captain Ian McNaught, Captain Roger Towner, Margaret Fay CBE, and Sir Nigel Sherlock.
“I was an electrician before I chose this career. It has always been an interest of mine to work at sea, but it wasn’t until I actually started I found out my grandfather was in the Merchant Navy himself.”
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Thomson Cruises Remodel
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Thirty-six officers have undergone a week’s specialist and intensive dual simulation instruction, designed to move the company’s training beyond compliance standards.
The highly challenging undertaking saw a computer-enhanced re-creation of Thomson’s safety management systems – and visuals of the ports its vessels navigate – inputted in to the marine school’s advanced Kongsberg full-mission engine and bridge simulators.
It also involved linking the simulators via software to give fully interactive replication of onboard interaction between crew on two of Thomson’s four current in-service vessels – Thomson Celebration and Thomson Dream - and the Thomson Discovery, which is due to come into service in 2016.
Combined, it allowed participants to operate in working conditions comparable to those at sea while staying on dry land, leading to the most realistic possible learning environment.
Coordinated by South Shields Marine School and Columbia Cruise Services (CCS), which manages Thomson’s ships, training took place over three separate weeks, with 12 officers on each course, allowing six engine room and six bridge crew at a time to take part.
Instruction aimed to create better understanding of technical and communications operations and enhance recognition among crew of all individual roles, with some sessions involving a swapping of positions between the highest and more junior ranks. Around half of Thomson’s officer cohort were involved.
Thomson Cruises has remodelled its officer training ahead of expansion of its fleet this year through a new bespoke and high
tech engine room and bridge linked simulation programme created by experts at South Shields Marine School.
Advanced Simulator ManagerMel Irving
CCS’s senior cruise superintendent
Paul Wells
General Manager of Logbridge L
tdDennis Rhatigan
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Two further weeks in January and February this year focused more on the 69,130-ton Thomson Discovery, which has a diesel electric propulsion system and is the largest of the three vessels.
Mel Irving, Advanced Simulator Manager at South Shields Marine School, which is the UK’s oldest maritime training centre and today part of South Tyneside College, said the programme involved building computer models of Thomson’s liners based on all engine and onboard data.
This information was then fed in to the simulators, so that they replicated each vessel’s capabilities, creating a precision training environment.
Capt Irving added: “As far as I am aware, we are the only training institute in the UK able to run a full mission diesel electric engine room simulator directly connected to a full mission bridge simulator.
“South Shields Marine School has a world-wide reputation as a centre of excellence, and because of our ability to make our own ship models and our own area databases, we can offer this tremendous training opportunity.
“Thomson is very pleased with the superb instruction its officers are getting, and we are really pleased to be able to give this service.”
“Thomson is very pleased with the superb instruction its officers are getting, and we are really pleased to be able to give this service.”
Paul Wells, CCS’s senior cruise superintendent, said Thomson’s very specific brief had been ably met by South Shields Marine School, which was likely to lead to the relationship’s further development.
He added: “Thomson wanted its training to go beyond compliance, beyond getting a paper certificate – we wanted to move it up a step.
“It was for this reason that we looked at something that involved dual bridge and engine room training, and something that was bespoke so that it had Thomson’s systems in place and also the ports that these vessels use. This meant it was all in compliance with what our people use on ship.
“There has been very positive feedback from everyone on the course, and we hope our work with the marine school evolves. South Shields Marine School and its instructors have done an excellent job, and the technology they use is incredible. They took all our requirements and built that into the programme.
“By linking the engine room and the bridge, we could see and hear all communications between them, which is a really valuable training tool. Everyone taking part was experienced but said how intensive they had found the course.”
The first week’s instruction ran in early 2015 and was based around the demands of operating the Thomson Celebration and Thomson Dream.
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Tyne Row Champions
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South Shields Marine School hosted the 7th annual row as seven teams battled it out
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“The Tyne Row is a tremendously difficult challenge, yet one that inspires all who take part to try their best, and it is also hugely enjoyable.”
Tommy Procter, a former tugmaster and retired marine lecturer at South Shields Marine School.
The seventh South Shields Marine School Annual Row proved to be an oar-some event but a comfortable success for the winning team.
The marine school’s own rowers triumphed in around 1hr 23min – five minutes ahead of closest rival American Bureau of Shipping.
All seven teams competing in the eight nautical mile race, which starts at Newcastle Quayside and ends at the marine school’s Marine and Offshore Safety Training Centre in South Shields, successfully completed the challenge.
Fleetwood Nautical Campus came third, followed by South Tyneside College General Engineering, South Tyneside College Ladies Team, North East P & I Club, and Royal Navy reserves.
Launched in 2010, the challenge attracts competitors from across the country, each aiming to tame the river’s choppy waters and claim the winner’s prize The event is
the brainchild of Tommy Procter, 68, a former tugmaster and retired marine lecturer at South Shields Marine School.
Tommy, who was the cox of the winning team, said: “As usual, it proved to be a tough event, but everyone who took part thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.
“In a highly competitive race with a close finish, South Shields Marine School team were worthy winners.
“The Tyne Row is a tremendously difficult challenge, yet one that inspires all who take part to try their best – and it is also hugely enjoyable.
“I’d like to thank everyone who took part in making this year’s race such a great success.
“I must give a special thanks to all at TS Collingwood sea cadet unit in South Shields for their help with training and safety cover, and to all staff at the Marine and Offshore Safety Training Centre for their hard work.”
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So tough is the challenge that there are two swap-over points for fresh crews take over. However, the Royal Navy reserve team rowed the entire course.
The first swap-over is after 3.5 nautical miles and the second a further 3.1 nautical miles downriver.
The winning team comprised Jon Milner, Lawrence Herbert, Sam Lindstaedt and Rico Vere-Nicoll in leg one, Connor Chekotay, Ross Davison-Harmer, Jacob Wright and Tom Crowther in leg two, and Josslynne Masters, Ellie Norris, George Maxwell and Andrew Dunmore in leg three.
For the second year running, the winners and runners-up medals were sponsored by South Shields Ferry, under the aegis of Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive/Nexus.
South Shields Marine School’s chosen charity was Seafarers UK, which makes grants to nautical charities that look after the welfare needs of seafarers, ex-seafarers and their dependents.
Local companies donated sponsorship and prizes towards raising money for the event and the charity.
They included Bureua Veritas, Dicksons, Maersk, Minchella & Co, Prichard Gordon Tankers, Safinah, SolarSolve, South Shields Marine School and Sodexo.
Raffle prizes were donated by Mambos Wine and Dine, South Shields Surf School, Lifestyle Fitness, Metro Radio, Barbour, Dominos, Lucozade, Hooray Soft Play, comedian Jason Cook, and South Tyneside College’s hair and beauty department and its 1861 Club.
The race started from Newcastle Quay, just yards from the iconic Millennium Bridge.
It was followed by a barbecue, entertainment, and the presentation of the winners’ medals and cup.
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Children at Ridgeway Primary launched themselves in to the project by coming in to class in nautical-themed outfits.
They became sailors, engineers and captains, with some wearing stripey clothes in recognition of the maritime industry.
It was part of fun activities in which they were also given posters and stickers by Seafarers Awareness Week organiser, Seafarers UK, the maritime charity that oversees the UK’s maritime environment.
The activity was designed to raise awareness of the important role the UK’s seafarers play in the life of the nation.
Children at Ridgeway Primary Academy got themselves shipshape by dressing up to learn about national Seafarers Awareness Week.
Seafarers Awareness Week
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Marine school lecturers Josslyne Masters and Captain Jon Milner also spoke to the children about life on the ocean waves and careers at sea.
Due to its participation, the school, which is sponsored as an academy by South Tyneside College, which operates South Shields Marine School, was entered into a prize draw to win £500.
Headteacher Michael McCarthy said: “It was a fun, but also very educational day of activities.
“South Shields has a long and proud seafaring history and it is important that its young people have an understanding of that and of how the sea has played a role in the lives of generations of its people.
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“The children really enjoyed getting dressed up in their outfits and had a great time. I’m very pleased that Ridgeway Primary was able to promote this special awareness week.”
Seafarers Awareness Week, which ran from June 20 to June 26, had the theme of promoting ‘Maritime Jobs for Future Generations’.
The organisation has also called on the government and the UK shipping industry to invest in training British Merchant Navy officers to meet a huge manpower shortfall.
A recent report from the International Chamber of Shipping revealed a shortfall of 16,500 deck and engineer officers, with a global shortage forecast of maritime officers standing at 92,000 by 2020 and 147,500 by 2025.
The demand for officers has increased by 24 per cent since 2010, but the number being trained in the UK has largely remained stagnant, with fewer than 1,000 British cadets each year commencing training for Merchant Navy careers.
Commodore Barry Bryant, Seafarers UK’s Director General, said: “There is an urgent need for serious investment in our young people who want to work at sea, both from the government by allocating more funds for training, and from the shipping industry by ensuring that all British cadets are guaranteed time at sea to become qualified.
“Without increased investment in the UK’s maritime skills base, we will face a serious shortage of men and women who in due course will move from seafaring to shore-based roles,
such as port operations, crew manning services, shipbroking, chartering and insurance.
“A large part of the nation’s and the City of London’s maritime competence will rely on these future UK seafarers.”
The UK maritime industry directly contributes at least £11bn a year to the UK economy, while supporting over 113,000 jobs.
Seafarers UK provides bursaries for cadets who are keen to work at sea but are prevented from doing so by financial constraints.
The charity believes what is required is a fresh and joined-up approach to making young people aware of our great maritime heritage, the huge importance of the sea to our island nation, and the consequent career opportunities for training to work in the UK’s maritime growth areas.
These include the servicing of offshore windfarms, the design, build and crewing of ‘superyachts’, and crew for cruise ships.
“South Shields has a long and proud seafaring history and it is important that its young people have an understanding of that.”
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