The Northumbria unit of a national marine based charity has appointed its youngest ever secretary to help steer them on a course including recruitment, training and seamanship.
Nineteen year old Wearsider Alexander Rodgers from Lambton, Washington joined The Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) to familiarise himself with all things nautical prior to applying for his dream job as a navigating officer / deck cadet in the Merchant Navy.
The MVS 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 30 active units spread around the UK coastline at major port & river areas, with more units planned. Northumbria Unit is based at Newcastle Business Village in Benton, but also uses meeting spaces kindly donated by the Mission for Seaman at South Shields and South Tyneside College. In addition, afloat training takes place from St Peter’s Marina in Newcastle’s east end. It is hoped that a unit will be set up in Sunderland in the near future too.
The aim of the MVS is to keep the country’s maritime traditions alive. Practical training in seamanship, small boat handling, engineering and communications helps to achieve this. The unit has a 21ft Delta RIB that can often be seen on the river.
Alexander’s appointment as unit secretary will stand him in good stead when he applies for a career within the Merchant Navy.
“I joined the MVS for a number of reasons. I’ve learned new skills about the maritime industry and considerably improved my CV, which I hope will help in my job applications. Joining the MVS has also improved my team working skills and social life too.”
The unit is now actively recruiting. Members should be over 18 years old and no experience is necessary as training will be given. For more information on the MVS please see the web site http://www.mvs-northumbria.org.uk for contact details
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More information: Contact MVS Press Liaison