Quayside strollers were given the chance to meet a unique team of volunteers who help to keep the region’s maritime traditions alive and contribute to the nautical community.
The Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) Northumbria Unit covers an area from the Tweed to the Tees including Kielder Water and trains people to navigate and pilot vessels, carry out basic engine maintenance and communicate efficiently using VHF radios.
The national charity which has 25 units across the UK celebrated its own National MVS Day on June 3rd and decided to take both of its vessels to NE1’s Newcastle City Marina to let interested passers-by learn more about their work.
Visitors to the boats were all given life jackets to wear, together with a talk about the work they do including helping harbour authorities when needed, marshalling at events such as the Tall Ships Race and regular patrols of the region’s rivers.
The unit has two vessels, a rigid hulled inflatable boat “Northumberland Freemason” and a 29ft patrol vessel “Melita.”
Angela Carrington, Regional Volunteer Officer said:” We were delighted at the response we received from the public. Everyone was keen to see the boats and it was amazing to hear people’s personal connections with boats and the river too. As well as getting potential new members for our area, we were also able to sign post two potential members who were on holiday in Newcastle to our Humber unit.
“We are actively looking for new members and this event raised our profile. Anyone can apply for membership as long as they are over 18 and we meet regularly at St Peter’s Marina in Byker. No experience is required as we train people up to RYA standards,” she said.
More information www.facebook.com/mvsnorthumbria
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Photo: MVS Northumbria and Melita at the event (The Bigger Picture)
Press and Media – interviews etc Keith@highlightspr.co.uk 07814 397951
Editors Notes
The Maritime Volunteer Service is a uniformed, voluntary organisation, founded in 1994 with full charitable status with its patron being HRH Prince Michael of Kent.
The organisation has more than 25 active units spread around the UK coastline at major port & river areas, with more units planned. Northumbria Unit is based at St Peter’s Marina.
New members are always welcome – no experience necessary.