Friday, 25 February 2011
STUDENTS SCOOP PRIZES AT NAFC MARINE CENTRE ANNUAL PRIZE GIVING
Nine students proudly accepted awards for their academic achievements at the NAFC Marine Centre’s 20th annual prize giving today (25 February 2011) from Captain George Sutherland, former Chairman of the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses. The ceremony had been postponed from its usual date in December due to the inclement weather at the time.
Jan Rigden, Head of Shetland School of Nautical Studies (SSNS), welcomed the guests and invited NAFC Marine Centre Director Professor David Gray to give the opening address.
Welcoming the guests to the ceremony, Professor David Gray said: “I always look forward to these kinds of celebrations, which are the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication. But this is not the end of your hard work, it is just the beginning.
“My message to everyone today is that, as your learning continues, we at the NAFC Marine Centre are here to help and support you.”
Jan Rigden then invited the guest of honour, Captain George Sutherland, to address the audience before presenting the prizes. He said: “It is a privilege to be involved in launching the latest group of talented young people on their first voyage. The NAFC Marine Centre has an enviable record in attracting and training young people for a life at sea, which still provides many opportunities for energetic and ambitious youth. I wish them well and look forward to watching their progress in years to come.”
The Northern Lighthouse Board (Deck Cadet) prize was awarded to Liam Cumming of Burra. Liam commenced training as a deck cadet at SSNS after obtaining a BA in Risk Management at university in Glasgow, having always dreamed of becoming a deck officer in the Merchant Navy. Jan Rigden commented: “As an experienced and mature student, Liam has had an excellent influence in the class and has been a real pleasure to teach, always performing to the highest standard in any tasks he has been set.” Liam was sponsored by K-Line Shipping through Clyde Marine Training.
Liam Cumming added: “I’m thrilled to win. I’ve spent my prize money on dynamic positioning courses, which will help me in my future career.”
The Northern Lighthouse Board (Engineer Cadet) prize was awarded to Derek Spence of Unst. SSNS Engineering Section Leader Duncan Kidson commented: “When Derek initially commenced his training he was too young to stay on campus and had to live with relatives, but despite this he has consistently performed to the highest level, studying with diligence both in class and outside, and has been a real pleasure to have as a student.” Derek was also sponsored by K-Line Shipping through Clyde Marine Training.
Scooping the third award was Liam Gray of Buckie, who won the Class 1 Fishing (Deck Officer) Prize. Liam stayed in Shetland throughout his studies and has returned several times since for further training. Jan Rigden said: “He was an excellent student, applying himself with diligence and always performing to the best of his ability. “
The next winner was Robert Williamson of Whalsay, who won the Jeanette Williamson prize for Class 2 Fishing (Deck Officer). Bobby first studied at the Centre in 1997 as a new entrant fish catching skill seeker, and has sailed on the Research throughout his career. Jan Rigden commented: “It is really pleasing that Bobby has gained his CoC after overcoming some personal obstacles which prevented him attending last year, and we wish him every success in the future.”
The Forbes Watt prize for Navigation, Merchant Navy, was presented to Gilbert Hutchison from Whalsay, whose application, hard work and attention to detail ensured that he was able to obtain excellent results in his examinations.
Gilbert Hutchison commented: “I’m very pleased to win and would like to thank Shetland Islands Council Ferry Services for enabling me to take up the training. I’d also like to thank Jan and the staff at the NAFC Marine Centre who have been very dedicated and helpful.”
Robert Anderson from Bixter won the Bells Nautical Trust prize for outstanding effort by a deck cadet. Jan Rigden said: “It would be fair to say that when Robbie started as a cadet in 2007 I had some doubts as to whether he would have the application to complete the programme.
“But, in the later stages of his cadetship, Robbie has developed into a hardworking and mature student who applied himself to the utmost throughout the last phase of the programme, completing all his work, and commenting that it was actually not that hard when he tried. It is very pleasing to see this kind of development in a student and this award is well deserved - congratulations.” Robert, who is sponsored by Norbulk Shipping, was also the winner of the Clyde Marine Training Deck Cadet Prize as the best Deck Cadet sponsored by Clyde Marine.
Commenting on the win, Robbie said: “I’m delighted to win. I would like to thank everyone at the NAFC Marine Centre, Clyde Marine and my sponsor company. Without them, getting to where I am today wouldn’t have been possible.”
The next award winner was Grant Masson of Fraserburgh who won the North Star Shipping award for outstanding effort by an engineer cadet. SSNS Engineering Section Leader Duncan Kidson remarked: “I am sure Grant won’t mind me saying that he found the academic part of his programme very challenging. Most students would have simply thrown in the towel, but through sheer determination and a tremendous amount of hard work and extra study he achieved his goal.
“Allied to this is the fact that Grant is one of the friendliest, most helpful, pleasant and all-round nice guys you could ever hope to meet. His practical work was achieved to a particularly high standard and since gaining his CoC he has even offered his services for free in his leave periods to come in and help pass on his skills to the new cadets in the workshop.” Grant was sponsored by North Star Shipping through the Ship Safe Training Group.
David Leisk of Orkney won the Clyde Marine Training – Engineering prize as the company’s best sponsored engineering cadet. Duncan Kidson continued: “David’s experience as a cadet is uncannily similar to that of Robbie Anderson who won the Clyde Marine Deck cadet prize. David developed an excellent sense of responsibility and work ethic that saw him, too, put in a tremendous effort in his last phase leading to success in all areas of his programme.” David was sponsored by Norbulk Shipping.
The final prize to be awarded was the NAFC MC Engineering Modern Apprentice of the Year and the winner was Fraser Leask of Scalloway, who served his apprenticeship with Sodexho Pollution Response at Sellaness. Duncan Kidson commented: “I say this every year but, after over 30 years working with and training apprentices throughout the UK, I have never seen such a commitment from local companies to training as exists here in Shetland. I would like to say a big thank you to all those companies who invest in not only their own, but Shetland’s future.
“This prize was one of the most difficult to award as there was more than one outstanding candidate to consider. The Engineering Section gave their decision much thought and chose Fraser who, all through his training showed he was a conscientious and willing apprentice, producing both academic and practical work to a high standard.”
Fraser was unable to attend and the award was accepted on his behalf by Dave Diamond of Train Shetland.
Further information from:
For further information, please contact: Jan Rigden, Head of Shetland School of Nautical Studies, NAFC Marine Centre, tel 01595 772000, email jan.rigden@nafc.uhi.ac.uk or visit www.nafc.ac.uk
Or, Louise Rosie, Shaw Marketing and Design Ltd, tel 01595 692465, email louise.rosie@shaw-online.com or visit www.shaw-online.com