Royal opening for School of Maritime Science and Engineering
ABP Southampton Matrathon, 10k and half Marathon
HRH The Princess Royal launched Southampton Solent University’s Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering, St Mary’s Campus on Thursday 18 January.
Her Royal Highness unveiled a plaque inside the building, which is located within the grounds of City College and a short walk from the city centre and Solent’s East Park Terrace campus. The new premises provides cadets with a distinct and modern teaching environment, brand new engineering workshops, a welding area, electrical and control laboratories, an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) simulator suite and Marine-Electro-Technical Officer (METO) workshops.
Her Royal Highness was received by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq, and was presented to a number of dignitaries including the Vice-Chancellor of Solent, Professor Graham Baldwin, Chancellor of Solent, Admiral Lord West of Spithead, Director of Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering, Dr Syamantak Bhattacharya, and staff and cadets from the School.
Professor Baldwin commented: “The development at St. Mary’s Campus is the first phase of our investment into maritime education and training at Solent. It has modernised our facilities and allows us to build on the heritage and expertise associated with Warsash Maritime Academy. We are proud that Warsash has become world-renowned for providing cadet programmes and professional short courses for more than 70 years.”
During her visit Her Royal Highness met with cadets and staff, Charlotte Astbury, who is completing her Officer of the Watch Unlimited Certificate, said: “It was a pleasure to meet Her Royal Highness; she was very well informed. We showed her an exercise in ship simulation collision avoidance. I hope to work on a research vessel or tanker once I’ve completed my certificate.”
No stranger to Solent, The Princess Royal has previously opened the University’s Michael Andrews building in November 1998. In January 2015 Her Royal Highness visited Solent Whisper – a sailing catamaran with cutting-edge hydrofoil systems developed by a Solent senior lecturer – at their stand at the London Boat show.
