Currently completing three months of intensive training are Broads Tours trainee skippers David, Roy and Andrew who are busy working towards achieving their MCA Boatmasters’ Licence.
The qualification will mean that they can take command of Broads Tours trip boats unaccompanied and is the culmination of many hours of practical and theory training, together with individual courses in Personal Survival, Fire Fighting and First Aid.
Patrick, one of our most knowledgeable skippers, has over 17 years of experience in conducting the skipper training and, following almost 90 hours of lessons and accompanied driving experience for each candidate, has achieved a 100% pass rate for all those he has put forward to undertake the exam, which is conducted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Catching up with the David, Roy and Andrew during training aboard one of our passenger trip boats, Belle of the Broads, they were all very enthusiastic and really enjoying their training and made the following comments:
David – “I also work for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, taking up to 12 passengers on boat trips around Ranworth and Hickling Broads. I’m looking forward to seeing a different aspect and sharing my knowledge of the Norfolk Broads and local wildlife with customers. I’m really enjoying my training on a much larger boat than I am used to and am very excited to be skippering with Broads Tours”.
Roy – “I am a retired police officer and will be working part time. I have a life long passion for the Norfolk Broads and am a very keen fisherman, having enjoyed many hours of fishing on the Broads. I am a family man and have three children and three grandchildren. I am loving the job so far and am very much looking forward to working on the Broads”.
Andrew – “I was in the Merchant Navy and have undertaken wide and varied sailings in many areas and have previously held a Boatmasters’ Licence. I can’t wait to get back on the water. I have been holidaying on the Broads for 14 years and moved to Norfolk to enjoy this beautiful county two years ago. I am very much looking forward to meeting all the customers joining our river trips”.
We at Broads Tours are very much looking forward to welcoming David, Roy and Andrew to our team.