This September marked a new chapter in Jay’s maritime career as he began his studies at Fleetwood Nautical Campus. Having already gained valuable sea time earlier in his career, he arrived with practical experience and a strong foundation - something that has helped him excel as he progresses through the academic phase of his Officer of the Watch qualification.
Over the past few months, Jay has been immersed in a wide range of core maritime subjects. From navigation and watchkeeping to ship stability, cargo operations, meteorology, and maritime law, the course has provided him with the technical understanding needed for the next step in his career at sea.
“My previous sea time has really helped me progress through the academic phase,”
Jay shared.
“It’s been a fantastic experience so far, and I’m grateful to the Isle of Man Steam Packet and Isle of Man Maritime for this opportunity.”
With exams scheduled for January, Jay will soon transition into short courses as he continues preparing for his MCA and CoC assessments - key milestones for any aspiring officer. But before then, he’ll be returning to Manxman over the Christmas period, where classroom learning will be put into practice under the guidance of the OOW team. This hands-on experience will further strengthen his skills and confidence on board.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has been proud to support Jay’s development every step of the way. Head of Human Resources, Ethel Docherty, shared high praise for the hard work and dedication he’s shown:
“Jay’s progression from catering to Able Seaman and now studying towards his Officer of the Watch qualification is a fantastic example of the career pathways available within the maritime industry.
His journey highlights the opportunities for development and advancement across our Company, and the value of investing in training and education.
We are proud to support Jay and others like him as they build rewarding careers at sea.”
Jay’s story reflects not only personal ambition, but also the importance of training and opportunity within the maritime sector. From serving at sea to now studying for an officer role, he is a reminder of how far dedication can carry you — and how talent can grow when given the space to thrive.
We wish Jay every success with his upcoming exams and look forward to seeing him continue to navigate his future with passion and pride.
