Congratulations to Fearghas Graham on winning the Peterhead Port Authority sponsored Trainee Deckhand of the Year 2016-17.

#seafarersawarenessweek Refreshing and learning new skills The Academy is committed to running courses to improve the skillset of existing fishing professionals and to provide safety training. Jordan Scott recently completed the Class 2 Fishing Deck Officer course “I was so pleased to have passed everything the first time,” says Jordan. "I found it quite hard to be honest – but it’s good to get it over and done with. I managed to get funding for this course and the additional short courses that I need to before I go for my oral exams. “

#seafarersawarenessweek Trainee Deckhand course - first rung of the ladder for standby & supply and fishing sectors Haydn McLeod from Peterhead was sixteen when he first enrolled onto the Trainee Deckhand course – the twelve week course aimed at introducing new entrants into the merchant navy and fishing industry. “It was a brilliant course, he says, “where I learnt a huge amount. Although that was over four years ago now I remember thinking what a great facility with a positive, friendly atmosphere. When the course finished I was offered a job with Vroon Offshore where I worked on the standby and supply vessels for eighteen months before deciding to “return” to fishing. I come from a family of fishermen and since I was small I have been on the boats with my dad, hauling creels and fishing for mackerel. Fishing is in my blood!”

#seafarersawarenessweek Entering the fishing industry The Introduction to Commercial Fishing course has recently been completed by pupils from Peterhead and Banff schools. It is designed to give a flavour of the training required on the first rung of a fishing career and includes training covering safety; gear and catch handling; net mending; rope work; navigation; boat handling; sea survival; fire fighting; first aid; health and safety and basic fishing vessel stability. The pupils were presented with their certificates by College Principal Liz McIntyre. Rory McDermott - former Banff Academy pupil - says, “I have always been interested in fishing but I don’t have a fishing background. For the last three summers I have been out on the boats helping out with creels. The course gave me a good insight into working at sea and gave me the chance to gain all my certificates. Now that I have left school, I have just come back from a trial fishing trip on a prawn boat.”

http://fishingnews.co.uk/news/scottish-maritime-academy-welcomes-hrh-the-prince-of-wales/

http://www.seafarers.uk/news/facing-brexit-the-uks-island-nation-dependence-on-shipping-and-seafarers-is-set-to-grow/

http://www.smaritime.co.uk/royal-visit-for-maritime-college