New course aims to attract people to Guernsey maritime sector
After studying marine biology at Anglia Ruskin University Ellie Wilson began her career at Sea Fisheries where she works as a commercial boatman.She said: "A couple of years ago I was looking into getting some qualifications and to do your practical - even just your day skipper - is not something you can do over here. You have to either go to Jersey or abroad to somewhere else. "So I found that really difficult and the way I have got into everything is more just from stepping stones of starting one thing and then going into something else."She plans to leave in September to go to the Isle of Wight to study a superyacht cadetship at UKSA.Upon completion of the course she will become a qualified officer of the watch, which means she can be an officer of the watch on boats under 3000 tonnes.
Mr Higgs said: "I think there is generally a decline in British seafarers globally in the merchant fleet. "There is also not as many youth coming through various sailing academies and entering into the maritime sector locally and further afield." Fraser Coleman, 20, is currently studying marine biology at University of Exeter and also works as a temporary marine attendant at Guernsey Ports. He said: "I don't think there is enough advertising for it because unless you're really into it, it is not that pushed."Mr Higgs said that they do go into schools but he thinks more needs to be done to encourage young people into the industry. He said: "There is probably work for us to do there, attending schools and career days, which we have done and will continue to do to try and increase that. We do get some interest but I would like to see that double."It's maybe not the sector that is of particular interest to youth these days and I think we need to change that culture because it is still a very interesting, exciting career. "And hopefully, people on the Island can appreciate how important this sector is to us."
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