Minister visits University’s world-leading maritime facilities

As part of an initiative to help promote the UK’s maritime skills and high standard of maritime training, Shipping and Ports Minister, John Hayes, visited Southampton Solent University today (Monday 3 November).

The visit is part of skills week (3-6 November) being run by the Government and maritime industries to promote the UK’s maritime skills and to raise awareness about the high standard of the UK’s maritime training.

Speaking of the skills week, John Hayes says, “I am proud of the UK’s maritime history and I want to ensure our maritime future is as great as our maritime past – this week the government and industry is standing together to ensure we attract the talented sailors of the future.”

The Minister’s first port of call was Warsash Maritime Academy, the commercial maritime arm of Southampton Solent University - which has provided first class education, consultancy and research services to the International maritime industry for nearly 70 years.

During the visit he took the wheel in the state-of-the-art bridge simulator, watched firefighting demonstrations at the purpose built fire school and toured the engine room simulator and engineering workshops.

Back at the Southampton Solent’s city centre campus, the Minister was given a tour of the Towing Tank before meeting with the Vice-Chancellor and other senior staff at the University.
Professor John Chudley, Dean of the Faculty of Maritime and Technology says: “We are honoured to have the Minister visit our facilities and recognise the important role we play in providing world-class professionals.

“We will continue to provide the specialist knowledge, skills and first-hand experiences that students need for a successful maritime career,” he added.

Please click here to visit the official London International Shipping Week website.