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27.07.2010

Round Britain sailor is new port trainee

Jack Daly
 
Jack Daly
(click on image to enlarge)

Jack Daly will be getting to grips with the Thames - by going to sea for three years!

The 18-year-old, from Herne Bay, Kent, has become the Port of London Authority's first cadet to study offshore.

He'll join national maritime authority Trinity House's world-class Merchant Navy Scholarship Scheme to learn navigation and seamanship skills.

Jack's no stranger to the sea. He's been boating since the age of eight and, at 16, he circumnavigated Britain alone in a 21ft yacht, covering 1,653 nautical miles and visiting 44 ports and harbours.

Speaking of his successful application for the new cadet post, he said: "I had just finished my exams when I saw the Port of London Authority advert - it was too good to be true. I’m really excited about the future."

When his Trinity House studies are complete, Jack will hold an internationally recognised Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) qualification, and could have the opportunity to work for the second biggest port in Britain.

The trial scheme will enhance the Port of London Authority's existing suite of training programmes, including the marine trainee scheme where cadets learn their skills on the Thames.

Glenn Witham, the PLA's director of human resources,  said: "Although many of our staff are sea-going professionals, this is the first time we have trained our cadets in this way.

"We’ll be investing £50,000 in Jack’s training over the next three years to ensure that, through Trinity House, he’ll have some of the best tuition in the maritime world."

As well as the cadet and marine trainee schemes, the Port of London Authority also provides specialist training for pilots, boat crews and vessel traffic services officers.

Commodore David Squire, the director of maritime training at the Corporation of Trinity House, said: 

"We are pleased that we can assist the PLA in providing the opportunity for Jack to train as deck officer, through our Merchant Navy Scholarship Scheme. This will prepare him for a career not just at sea, but also for future opportunities within the PLA."

Notes to editors:

  • the Port of London Authority (PLA) is responsible for navigational safety and related matters on 95 miles of the tidal Thames from the sea to Teddington in west London. The PLA provides navigational, safety, pilot, diving and other services for users of the Thames
  • the Port of London comprises over 70 independently owned and operated terminals and port facilities at different locations on the Thames. These handle a wide range of cargoes. London is the UK's second largest port
  • London also has a busy passenger boat trade for tourists and commuters and is a popular destination for international passenger cruise ships. The tidal Thames is also used widely by those with small recreational craft of many types
  • Trinity House is the General Lighthouse Authority (GLA) for England and Wales, with responsibility for nearly 600 Aids to Navigation, from traditional aids such as lighthouses, buoys and beacons to the latest satellite navigation technology. In addition it inspects over 10,000 local Aids to Navigation provided by port and harbour authorities, and those positioned on offshore structures
  • The Trinity House Merchant Navy Scholarship Scheme, was launched in 1989 to provide young people with the opportunity to train for a career in the merchant navy, with a variety of Red Ensign-flagged shipping companies, and in different trades.  Scholarships are offered to some 30 men and women annually, to train as deck, engineer or electro-technical officers, in a diverse range of ship types, trading anywhere in the world.  This enables them to gain a broad overview of the shipping industry before they commit themselves to one particular company or type of ship on completion of that training
  • photos of Jack Daly are available on request from the PLA (see below)