Michael’s voyage from plasterer to Master Mariner

Michael Nicholls spent his early working life on fishing vessels and on building sites as a plasterer. 

During the financial crisis of 2008/09 things became very difficult and in 2010 he made the difficult decision to close his business. He knew people who had worked at sea so he decided to do the basic courses and give it a go.

The journey begins...

On joining the vessel Vos Islay from Aberdeen as an Ordinary Seaman, Michael initially felt a little lost. However, after a couple of weeks he realised that he could make a good career at sea. Taking advice from a senior colleague, he began reading The Mariners Handbook, then read it several times. 

After six months, Michael was posted to the Vos Vigilant.  Here he met Capt Bruce Parker, with whom he struck up a friendship.  Capt Parker saw potential in Michael and actively encouraged him to pursue his ambitions to study and progress. Under Capt Parker’s guidance, Michael went from Ordinary Seaman to Able Seafarer and subsequently got leave to study for his Officer of the Watch certification.

Life at college

Michael arrived at Fleetwood Nautical Campus in early summer 2013. At 35 years of age, he had very good practical skills but did not consider himself a natural academic. After his first day, he felt out of his depth and packed his bags that night. After speaking to his family, he agreed to give it another day. The next day Michael got talking to one of the tutors, who provided academic, practical and emotional support, which Michael credits with him sticking with it.  Fast forward to February 2014 and Michael qualified and returned to his previous ship, alongside Capt Parker.

Michael then enrolled on the Chief Mates programme, funded by Marine Scotland, returning to Fleetwood in summer 2017 for another 10-month period. Michael describes this as the hardest year of his life physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. He describes the lecturers at Fleetwood as “absolutely fantastic, always there to support and help”.  He passed the Navigation and Stability written exams in March 2018 on the first attempt and then passed his oral exam that spring.

Michael wasn’t able to attend Fleetwood for his Masters Orals because of Covid, but undertook it online in 2021, passing the exam to complete the journey from Ordinary Seaman to Master Mariner. Michael is now sailing as Master for P&O Ferries on the 214m cross channel ferry the Spirit of France.

Michael's advice

What advice would he give the young Michael Nicholls when he joined the Vos Islay all those years ago? 

Never give up, learn your job and continuously understudy the next rank up. Never allow yourself to think that you can’t do something. Have a short-term goal, continuously improve, give yourself deadlines for learning e.g. by the of this trip I will have a good understanding of the collision regulations. And finally, have a long-term goal, no matter how far-fetched it may seem at the time, and never let anyone tell you it can’t be done, not even yourself.

Most importantly, chose a good college, and I cannot recommend any college ahead of Fleetwood Nautical Campus.  The staff, the facilities, the history is all geared up to get you through and you will embark on a journey with the college which is a well-worn path to success.