A Career in the Merchant Navy!

Year 6 experienced the lifeblood of the city of Southampton last week when they spent a day in the docks on Whitchallenger and Apex.

Whitchallenger is an oil supply ship, which travels up and down the English Channel, sometime further afield, to refuel other vessels. You can see where it is right now!

Apex, and her sister ships, Phenix and Vortex, are tugs which guide larger ships up and down Southampton water, mainly for the Fawley Oil Terminal.

The crews of both vessels gave everyone full guided tours, talking about life on board and how everything (including a kitchen, a gym and a larder) fits on board, alongside the engine room and the bridge!



The crew also talked about life at sea, including navigation and knots! The scientific principles of floating (not sinking) and how to clean up oil spillages were covered too. And, of course, everything was perfectly safe and we got to try out some of the fire retardant safety gear!

A huge thank you to the crews of both ships, the Southampton Shipowners Association, and particularly to Ashley Jenkins of Whitaker Tankers and Nick Jeffrey from Solent Towage for organising this unique opportunity for Oakwood pupils!