A nautical charity that operates regionally from Berwick to Hartlepool and provided invaluable support, both afloat and ashore at the recent Blyth Tall Ship’s Regatta has opened its doors and is recruiting new volunteers.
The Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) has 25 active units around the coasts & estuaries of the United Kingdom. The organisation’s aims are to help to keep the UK’s maritime tradition alive by training and delivering practical seamanship and engineering skills. These skills are put to good use in the community at events such as Tall Ships and at times when called upon by the appropriate authorities.
The Northumbria Unit of the MVS will be holding an information evening for prospective recruits on Wednesday 1st February between 7.00pm and 9pm. The event will be hosted at a venue that has special significance to the unit as they were based there for 12 years – The Old Low Light, Clifford’s Fort, North Shields Fish Quay, Tyne and Wear, NE30 1JA
Visitors will get to see a presentation about the organisation, a short film about the work of the unit and Volunteer Officer Keith Newman will be presented with the Maritime Service Medal in recognition of his work with the charity spanning more than 20 years. Refreshments will be served.
As well as potential new recruits, the MVS unit’s sponsors have been invited including main sponsor Ordnance Test Solutions Ltd who last year sponsored their 21ft patrol boat “Tyne Spirit.”
The Tall Ships Regatta saw members of the Northumbria unit provide support to the event’s organisers. The unit employed “Tyne Spirit” effectively in a variety of roles including marshalling exclusion zones, general patrolling and talking to the public about the organisation.
Head of Unit, Volunteer Officer Angela Carrington said, “At Blyth, we all worked well as a team and we did exactly what we were requested to do. We all put in very long days but it really was worth it. We’ve built up some valuable contacts in the maritime community and made some new friends. Now however, it’s time for us to grow the unit so that we can attend more events and utilise our vessels more.” said Angela. “You don’t need any previous nautical experience as we will train you. We’d love to see as many people as possible at the evening.”
Anyone wanting to know more about the MVS event can contact VO Keith Newman on 07814 397951
Free tickets for the event can be obtained from
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maritime-volunteer-service-information-evening-tickets-31354619511