We're always keen to go aboard as we shine a spotlight on ships and shipping and this month hosts Alistair Eagles and Nigel Thompson have enjoyed a blast from the past.

Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated team, the Daniel Adamson - The Danny - is a familiar sight on the Mersey, Manchester Ship Canal and River Weaver.

Built in 1903 at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, The Danny once towed barges and ocean liners through the busy waterways of the North West.

Now it runs 'on coal and volunteers!'

So how did it escape the scrappers? What does a steam tug sound like? And why do so many people love The Danny and how does the charity aim to connect communities to maritime heritage and contemporary opportunities in the sector?

In this feature-length edition of Full Ahead, we'll try and answer these and many more questions.

In the next edition of the podcast we're aboard The Daniel Adamson, a remarkable survivor from the steam age.

She was built at what is now the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead in 1903 and is a small but powerful tug.

She once towed long strings of barges laden with goods from the inland towns of Cheshire and the Potteries to Liverpool.

We've been aboard to hear how she was saved from scrap and what the future holds for this remarkable vessel which sounds superb!

Welcome to Full Ahead !

Your hosts have been on their travels in recent weeks but have reconvened to bring you a new edition of the podcast about ships and shipping.

Alistair tells us how he made use of some of the CalMac ferries during a cycling tour of western Scotland to enjoy some stunning scenery.

Nigel's travels this month took him to Suffolk and the port of Felixstowe, Britain's biggest container port handling four million containers delivered by 2,000 ships annually.

But the story we share in this podcast isn't about the giants of the sea - far from it!

Carrying passengers between Felixstowe, Shotley and Harwich is a bright yellow ferry with a fascinating history.

Using what was once a lifeboat on a legendary liner, Chris Zemann tells us about the history of the Harwich Harbour Ferry , how it's thriving amongst the mighty container-carrying ships around it and his ambitious plans for the future.

In this edition Alistair and Nigel also look ahead to news stories coming up in the maritime world and we share the real meaning of maritime phrases which are now in everyday use.

Enjoy!

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We promised this podcast series would shine a light on some of the unsung heroes of the maritime industry and hope you agree that this episode certainly does!

He goes to work on a launch, several miles out to sea will scale the side of a ship to work with a captain and crew he may never have met before; Andy Bradbury is one of the team of maritime pilots working around the UK.

In this episode he explains how he was attracted to the demanding role, the responsibilities it entails and some of the experiences he's had navigating ships into the ports of Heysham and Glasson Dock in Lancashire.

As you'll hear, both offer real challenges!

Alistair and Nigel also look at some of the industry news around and talk briefly about cruising - a potential topic for a future podcast.

NB Since recording our conversation, Andy is now progressed to be a trainee pilot serving Liverpool. We wish him well in his new role!

Full Ahead has been behind the scenes of the world's oldest ferry company as it gets ready to transport some of the fastest people on the planet.

If you're listening to this on the day of release (Friday 30th May) then spare a thought for the crew and staff working for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.

Because today is the busiest day of their year.

Well over 40,000 motorcycling fans are transported across the Irish Sea to the island which hosts the famous TT races. Practice week sees a steady increase in travellers but it's today and during race week when the rate really increases. The ferries - the Ben My Chree, Manxman and fastcraft Manannan - work flat out.

Hosts Alistair Eagles and Nigel Thompson have been aboard the flagship Manxman to meet the crew, passengers and hear a few TT tales.

3' Meet our guides to life on the Manxman, James and Steve

4' The Manxman came into service two years ago and James was among the crew who brought it to Manx waters.

6' Coping with bikers from all over the world

8' Feeding the hungry! Hope Steve copes with catering for a sudden influx of bikers.

12' A cinema for the crew, how accommodation has changed over the years.

14'30" Even 'man's best friend' is catered for

16' The galley at lunchtime

18' 30" On the cargo deck as traffic for the TT begins to board

20' We meet a TT fan who is making his first crossing and another marking his 40th!

25' Why the Manxman has shutes not lifeboats.

29' Alistair and Nigel review the Manxman and look ahead to the next edition of Full Ahead.

Thanks to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and particular thanks to James Taylor and Steve Allen.

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Full Ahead is a Nigel Thompson Media production

https://www.nigel-thompson.co.uk/

Nigel escaped the Full Ahead shed to attend the inaugural Mersey Maritime Innovation Summit (20th May) at the Liverpool John Moores University Student Life Building, bringing together industry leaders, academics, and innovators to explore the future of maritime innovation in the Liverpool City Region.

 It’s a busy time in maritime and there’s lots happening in the north west.

 It was great to hear from those making a difference:

•  2’54” Ruth Wood, the chief executive of Mersey Maritime the regional cluster for the industry in the north west, told me why the summit was important and what she hopes it will lead to.

• 11’03” Martin Harrop of GT Wings who are using wind to once again power ships.

• 13’15” Dr Eddie Blanco-Davis a reader in Marine Engineering at the Liverpool logistics, offshore and marine research institute using his seagoing experience to inspire the innovators of the future.

• 19’ Ben McAlindon of the Royal Academy of Engineering who are about to open a new hub in Liverpool.

• 23’07” John Whaling the Innovation Lead for Liverpool city region.

Notes and contacts:

Mersey Maritime

GT Wings

Graf Marine

Thanks for downloading this edition of Full Ahead.

Alistair and I will be reunited for the next edition when we’ll be afloat.

Full Ahead is a Nigel Thompson Media production.

Welcome to the first edition of Full Ahead, a podcast about UK ships and shipping!

Host Alistair Eagles has 30 years experience in the industry including running a major Irish Sea freight ferry service while broadcaster and journalist Nigel Thompson just wants to learn more about the maritime world.

Our main guest is the inspirational chief officer Harvey Finney who tells us how made his way into the industry and why he promotes opportunities to young people.

We Horizon Scan to see what events are coming up in the maritime world.

And we hear the origins of an everyday phrase that may come as a surprise - a great pub quiz question!

In future editions we’ll be hearing about the life or a ships' pilot and taking a look at the big ambitions on one of the UK’s smallest ports.

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Contact us [email protected]