Off course: a sideways look at life at sea

Feb 08 2024 6

Off course: a sideways look at life at sea Podcast artwork

Can you name three famous seafarers? Or do you know where your nearest port is? Don't worry if you're struggling with the answers - you're not alone! Off course explores why the maritime sector remains such a mystery to many of us when it plays such an important role in all our lives. Join host Robert Murtagh as he hears inspirational stories from across the industry - from captains on deck, to campaigners on land and those captured by pirates.

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Off course (S2 E5): Jo Stanley

Feb 08 2024 42 mins

We’re back for the final episode of season two with Dr Jo Stanley, a creative historian and expert on LGBT+ maritime history and an Honorary Research Fellow at Blaydes Maritime Centre, University of Hull. In this episode we talk with Jo about the history of LGBT+ individuals, particularly gay men, in the British Merchant Navy during the mid-20th century. We discuss how the enviro

Off course (S2 E4): Jacqueline Smith

Jan 29 2024 36 mins

We’re back for another episode and this month we’re speaking with Jacqueline Smith, the maritime coordinator for the International Transport Workers' Federation. In this podcast we discuss the concept of Flags of Convenience (FOCs) in the maritime industry. Why the ITF is calling for a global review of ship registration practices and a clearer definition of a "genuine

Off course (S3 E3): Lungi Mchunu

Dec 06 2023 40 mins

We’re back for another episode and this month we’re speaking with Lungi Mchunu, yacht skipper and the first African woman to sail to the Arctic. Lungi is also a yachtmaster graduate of the Nautilus strategic yacht partner and training charity, UKSA, and has worked in yachting, cruise and racing. We speak with her about her fear of the sea, how she overcame it, and her experie

Off course (S2 E2): Ann Pletschke

Oct 31 2023 46 mins

We’re back for another episode and this month we’re speaking with Ann Pletschke, Master Mariner and Merchant Navy medal winner. Ann works in the autonomous shipping industry, so we ask her for her views on how the implementation of AI and automation has had an impact on her work in the last few year, predictions for the future and what lessons we can learn from other industries

Off course (S2 E1): Allan Larsen

Sep 08 2023 34 mins

We're back for season two! With a big thanks to all of our season one listeners, we're now a multi-award nominated podcast and we can't wait to share with you what we have in store over the next few months. In July 2023 the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) set targets for Net Zero around 2050 which opens the door for some big changes in fuel and new technologie

Episode 5: Captain Kai Kaltegartner

Apr 21 2023 34 mins

Episode 5, the final episode of series 1! After two years, a Dutch court has ruled in favour of a seafarer who was turned away by a crewing agency because of his work rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean. We speak to Captain Kai Kaltegartner, who shares with us his harrowing experiences onboard vessels rescuing people fleeing violence, insecurity and persecution. We ask him why

Episode 4: Captain Susan Cloggie-Holden

Mar 07 2023 30 mins

In episode 4 of Off course we speak with Captain Susan Cloggie-Holden, the first female captain of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Susan tells us about her extraordinary career managing risk under high pressure, supporting Royal Navy and Merchant Navy seafarers, and promoting a more representative maritime workforce.

Episode 3: Sea sickness

Jan 20 2023 34 mins

Research has found that one of the main reasons many people don't consider a career at sea is because they suffer from 'sea sickness'. Do you suffer from sea sickness? Do we really know what sea sickness is? Is there a cure? Episode 3 of 'Off course' poses these questions and more to Dr Tom Stoffregen, of the University of Minnesota, a world-leading expert in motion sickness. Hint:

Episode 2: Sanjam Gupta

Nov 18 2022 33 mins

Episode 2 of Off course features a trailblazer in diversity in the maritime industry. Sanjam Sahi Gupta is Director of Sitara Shipping, founder of the Women in Shipping Trade Association (WISTA) India and CEO of Maritime SheEO. Sanjam talks to us about her often difficult experiences as one of the few women at a senior level in the industry and how these challenges have informed he

Episode 1: Captain Phillips

Oct 13 2022 32 mins

Our launch episode features Captain Rich Phillips – the Captain Phillips played by Tom Hanks in the Hollywood blockbuster movie of the same name. We speak to Captain Phillips about the accuracy of the movie, how his family reacted to his capture, why he rejects the label of 'hero' and why we shouldn't get complacent about piracy. With thanks to Nautilus Federation affiliate, the