The Open Days have been organised for cadets from Glasgow College of Nautical Studies. Today (Wednesday), 33 Deck Officer Cadets will join MV Caledonian Isles on the Ardrossan to Brodick route and tomorrow 19 Engineer Officer Cadets will attend, along with 2 of their lecturers.

The cadets will join the ship in Ardrossan for the 0945 sailing, making two return journeys before leaving the ship on its return to Ardrossan at 1445.

The cadets will be split into three supervised groups which will allow them to see three key, separate areas of interest on the vessel during each leg.

Stephen Horne, CalMac Marine Training Officer, said: “It is important that cadets get the chance to see a working ship in full operational mode and we are delighted to be able to offer this facility to the students from Glasgow. This event is building on the success of previous visits and I know that the cadets will take the chance to meet and speak to as many of our own experienced crew members as possible to get a handle on what might lie ahead of them as they chose their avenues of opportunity in the future. MV Caledonian Isles is a major ship supplying a lifeline service to Arran and the cadets will get to know a lot about our operating circumstances in the time they have with us. Who knows, some of them may yet return to take command of MV Caledonian Isles or one of her successors.”

ends

For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Public Affairs Manager, Caledonian MacBrayne.

Tel: 0776 435 4021; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk

Issued:  Wednesday, March 17, 2004  : 0900