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QE2 captain becomes dragon

The last ever captain of the QE2 is taking on a new role as a dragon.

Former South Tyneside College student, Captain Ian McNaught, will return to his college roots to judge a ‘Dragons’ Den’ style enterprise competition for marine students.

The competition will see students from South Tyneside College’s Foundation Degree in Marine Operations pitch their ideas to Captain McNaught and three other representatives from the marine industry - Aisling Fenix from Eversheds Shipping Solicitors, Brian McGregor from the North of England P&I club and Joanne Smallwood from Maersk.

Taking place on Wednesday 17 December at the College’s Westoe Campus, the competition stakes are high with students battling for a £1,000 prize fund to make their idea a reality.

Students will also have to perform their pitch in front of an audience, as tickets for the event are on sale to the general public, staff and other students. All proceeds from these ticket sales will go to the College’s chosen charity, Scope.

Jerry Gilmour, marine lecturer at South Tyneside College, said: “This competition is a great way to get our students thinking about enterprise and making them work together as a team to see a project through to its conclusion.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming Captain Ian McNaught back to the College to judge the competition. His presence at the event will make it extra special and will hopefully help us to generate lots more ticket sales.”

Captain McNaught worked on the QE2 from 1987 until November 2008, when the ship sailed its last voyage to become a floating hotel in Dubai.

To purchase tickets for the ‘Dragon’s Den’ competition - which cost £2.50 - please contact Jerry Gilmour at South Tyneside College on (0191) 427 3500 or via email jeremy.gilmour@stc.ac.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .