Two Bermudians Join Tall Ships For 25 Day Sail
Two Bermudians have joined the Tall Ship, Bark Europa today on her 25-day journey to Toronto, Canada, via the St. Lawrence river for the Great Lakes United Tall Ships Challenge 2010.
They are Marine & Ports Services Senior Ferry Pilot, Demian Tucker, 36, and Junior Engine Driver, Torian Morrisey, 23. Mr. Tucker joined Marine & Ports Services eight years ago as a seaman and has worked his way up the ladder. Mr. Morrisey joined Marine and Ports one and a half years ago after studying Marine Operations in Barbados, courtesy of the National Training Board.
The opportunity for Mr. Tucker andMr. Morrisey to join the ship as sail trainees was arranged by Sail Training Association Bermuda. John Wadson, Chairman of Sail Training Association Bermuda said:
Bark Europa is one of the best friends to Bermuda. She was here last year for the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 and she is the first ship from that fleet to come back and pay us a proper visit. The Kruzenshtern sailed past the Island several weeks ago but she didn’t come right in.” Mr. Wadson pointed out that Sail Training Association Bermuda is offering sail training adventures to other young Bermudians this summer in the Great Lakes and in Europe. “This is a truly unique opportunity for young Bermudians to travel and anyone who is interested in sail training can find more information on our website, www.tallshipsbermuda.com.
Mr. Francis Richardson, Director of Marine & Ports Services said:
The Department of Marine & Ports Services is committed to training and providing development opportunities to both civil servants and industrial employees. Damien and Torian have been identified as strong candidates for further development and most importantly, they were keen to take advantage of this training opportunity and experience when it was offered. Our department continues to work closely with Sail Training Association Bermuda and we are extremely appreciative for their hard work and commitment to providing this unique experience and exposure for our employees and others within the Bermuda maritime fraternity.
Mr. Tucker and Mr. Morrisey said they were grateful to the Department of Marine & Ports for sponsoring them on the voyage and both were excited to board the ship to begin their journey. Mr. Morrisey added, “I love the mix of maintenance and how the crew has to come together for a common goal.”
Captain Robert Vos of Bark Europa said, “We love Bermuda because it is a convenient harbor that offers a friendly approach with not too many formalities. I wish we were taking more young Bermudians on this voyage.”
Bark Europa arrived in Bermuda on Friday 4th June 2010 from her last stop, Panama. The Great Lakes, the venue for the United Tall Ships Challenge, are a fragile ecosystem and fits in with the ships main goals of water conservation, education and youth sail training.
TwPhoto below, courtest of DCI, shows left to right: Francis Richardson, Director of Marine & Ports; Torian Morrisey; Bark Europa Captain, Robert Vos; Demian Tucker; Terry Spencer, Services Officer Ferries; Torian Morrisey, and John Wadson, Chairman Sail Training Association Bermuda.
