Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines celebrates its first qualified British Officer Cadets

Ipswich-based Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is proud to announce the graduation of its first British Officer Cadets. Cadet Tim Cummins and Cadet Ian Meacham were sponsored by Fred. Olsen throughout their three years’ of study at Warsash Maritime Academy, in Southampton, and celebrated their graduation with a formal ‘Passing Out’ ceremony at the Academy in June 2011.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Managing Director, Mike Rodwell, said:

“We are extremely proud of our two new Officer Cadets, and I am sure that they will both be valuable members of our onboard crew. It is very satisfying to sponsor two such ambitious young men and to see them progress and develop into fully fledged Officer Cadets. We wish them every success for the future.

“It is important, as a British company, that we do all that we can to support the excellent work undertaken by Warsash Maritime Academy and others in promoting and encouraging maritime skills amongst young people in the UK. This nation has a proud seafaring heritage, and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is delighted to play its part in training the mariners of the future.” 

Cadet Tim Cummins was first attracted to a life at sea after hearing stories from a work colleague married to a Master Mariner. Tim spent three years training to be a Deck Officer, dividing his time between the Academy and the Fred. Olsen cruise ships, gaining valuable practical experience. 

Tim explains why he chose Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines as his sponsor:

“I applied to a few companies, and it was sponsorship with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines that I accepted. It was an easy choice: what most attracted me was the varied itineraries of all of the ships. This is something that few larger cruise companies are able to offer these days. 

“For now, my training has finished and I have just accepted my first position with Fred. Olsen. Hopefully, this is a start of a promising career, and I could not be happier. And, one day, I hope that I will become a Captain, hopefully within the fleet where I started.”

Cadet Ian Meacham decided that, before leaving school, life as a Cadet appealed more than three years at university and the probability of having to pay off large debts after graduation. Ian attended an open day at Warsash Maritime Academy, which inspired him to apply to be a trainee Cadet.  Ian said:

“I chose Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines – with its small, friendly ships with mainly British passengers – over the giant vessels of other cruise companies. During my time at sea, the officers and crew onboard all the Fred. Olsen ships I’ve served on have made the three years of training challenging, interesting and, most importantly, fun!

“In terms of the future, Captain is of course my aim. However, that is a long way away and years of experience are needed first, as well as passing more exams. The most important, aim, of course, is to continue to build upon the excellent reputation that Fred. Olsen Officers have within the maritime industry.”

John Bazley, Head of School of Professional Studies at Warsash Maritime Academy, said:

"It is good to see the first UK Fred. OIsen cadets qualify. Both Ian and Tim have performed strongly in their academic course and this, combined with their excellent onboard training, should set them up well for a fulfilling first complement appointment at sea. 

“If young people, like Ian and Tim, are keen to find out more about what a career at sea can offer them, they should visit our next Open Day on Friday 20th January 2012.”

For further information on Warsash Maritime Academy, visit the website at www.warsashacademy.co.uk You can find out more about Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines online at www.fredolsencruises.com