Born in Scotland and educated in England, John was initially a marine engineer officer with BP Oil Tankers. John later gained Bachelor and Master Degrees in Engineering from Newcastle and Durham. Following management with UK Tube Investments, John accepted a lecturing position at the UK's (then named) South Shields Marine and Technical College at which he undertook his initial training as a marine engineer.

In 1981, John was appointed to the newly constructed Australian Maritime College in Launceston, Tasmania as its foundation Senior Lecturer in Maritime Engineering. John contributed nationally to the micro-economic reform of the Australian maritime industry as Senior Lecturer then Head of School of Engineering. Then, in 1995 John joined the Western Australia Department of Transport as Manager, Commercial Shipping Safety, serving on associated State and Federal committees. This was followed by innovative WA Transport project management position appointments in transport freight, infrastructure and strategic development - one of which took him to work for Transport for London. John produced over thirty publications associated with his work and presented lectures and seminars in many countries throughout the world.

He is a past member of both the Institute of Marine Engineers and its London Council; Member of the Institution of Engineers Australia; and retired Chartered Engineer. After his return to Tasmania, in 2006 John was invited to again support the UTAS/Australian Maritime College’s programs as a casual lecturer, which he did for eleven years leading up to the pandemic.

In addition to his work, as an occasional Cruise Line Guest Speaker over the past 17 years, John has shared his ship and shipping knowledge experiences, in an informative, fun and not overly technical manner, with his fellow cruise line guests. John has also expanded his subject base to include Destination Related presentations on Australasia and Antarctica and the causes and impacts of global climate change.

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Presentations - Special Interest Topics

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1. The Great Ships of Isambard Kingdom Brunel
The impact of the Industrial Revolution led to the three Great ships of Isambard Kingdom Brunel – the first transatlantic liners. Thereafter, the vessels of the White Star Line and Cunard Line turned heads into the 20th century. What started it all?

2. Isambard Brunel – Bridging the World
Harnessing the relevant technologies of the Industrial Revolution and the genius of Isambard Kingdom Brunel combined to bridge the old world with the new. How did this combination open frontiers to the growth of the world?

3. Great Ships of Isambard Kingdom Brunel – The ss Great Western
Being a Civil Engineer was no impediment to the genius of Isambard Kingdom Brunel in combining to build ships that bridged the old world to the new. How did the technologies of the Industrial revolution lead Brunel to build the first transatlantic passenger ship?

4. Great Ships of Isambard Kingdom Brunel – The ss Great Britain
Following the success of the ss Great Western, the ever-changing plans of I.K. Brunel’s second revolutionary ship caused a few problems – not least of which was when she was due to sail. Why did the plans change and what delayed the maiden voyage?

5. Great Ships of Isambard Kingdom Brunel – The ss Great Eastern
The third and final revolutionary ship of Isambard Kingdom Brunel was fifty years ahead of its time and truly reflected his maritime engineering genius. How was this so, and did building ships like bridges always go to plan? Come and find out how and why.

6. Who Breathed Life into an Exhausted Technology?
As ship engines reached their peak in power generation, Sir Charles Algernon Parsons revolution-ised shipping propulsion but no-one would listen – so at the Royal Navy Spithead review, in honour of Queen Victoria's 60th year on the throne, he blitzed the fleet at 34 knots. How?

7. Titanic Had Two Sisters
Whilst the sinking of the Titanic is legendary, the Titanic was actually the second of three Olympic Class ships that were built. What else do you know about the Titanic? Do you know anything about her two sister ships? Did her sinking have any lasting impacts?

8. The Queens of the Atlantic
The construction of the British Queens and other liners that bridged the Atlantic is legendary. Sadly, their Royal Mail status and passenger carrying demise came about with the arrival of the Jumbo jet. What were these ships like and what made them special?

9. History of the Cruise Ship Industry
The replacement British Queens have arrived as the cruise industry popularity continues to increase and cruise ships get bigger in size and are now required to generate power that would supply a small city. Just how big is the industry and what role does it play? Continued …

10. Ships of the World
Once, everything was general cargo carried by general cargo ships. Ships are now built with a specific cargo in mind where big would seem to be beautiful. So, what ship types now make up the world fleet of around 50,000 international trading vessels?

11. Different Ships – Different Cargos
Why are there so many different types of ship? Do different cargos require different handling? Are they a threat to the environment? If so, how is it contained?

12. Made to Move Mountains
World resources are the possession of but a few of its countries whilst demand is global. What technological developments support the movement of such huge material quantities over such extremely large distances? What are the economics of ship transport?

13. Ship Ahoy
Different sizes. Different shapes. What could it be? It could be one of three dozen types of vessels. How many vessel types do you recognize? What are they and what do they do? Come and test your knowledge.

14. Significant Sized Ships
So how does this ship compare in size to the biggest ship ever built? Do you know what was the biggest ship ever built? How does its size compare to some of the world’s most notable iconic landmarks?

15. The Biggest Ships in the World
How big are the biggest ships in the world? Are cruise ships amongst the biggest ship types? The total passenger and crew figure is now more than 8,000 people. Do these ships fit through the Panama Canal or exceed its limits? You might be surprised.

16. Bigger Shortcut to Australia and the Pacific
When the world’s largest cruise ship entered service in the year 2000, she could not transit the Panama Canal on her way to Australia – now she can. It took ten years for all of the changes to the Panama Canal that were needed to be put in place. So just what were those changes?

17. Where There’s Smoke There’s Fire
Of course, there isn’t a fire in the traditional sense, so where is that funnel smoke coming from? Do you know all the options? Without it, we certainly would not get very far!

18. Harnessing the Power
Cruise ships utilise power generation technology options that could meet the needs of powering a city. Who controls what can and cannot be done? Are there rules and regulations? If so, who or what sets and enforces them?

19. Wheels Within Wheels
Ships are the most fuel-efficient form of transport and need a lot of fuel – and we all know the cost of that. For ships, it’s a story of systems within systems that enable all machinery and crew to function safely, efficiently and effectively. Come and find out how.

20. Know the Ropes
Great destinations and great hospitality. So how does it all happen on board this ship to make it so great? Get to know a little of the complexity of the systems on board that contribute to your fantastic cruising experiences.

21. Clean Ships – Clean Seas
The historic maritime disasters of the Torrey Canyon, Exxon Valdez, Amoco Cadiz, and other incidents heralded unprecedented change in the provision of safety and prevention of marine pollution. What do these names signify? And what technological changes resulted?

22. So Many People – So Much Waste
Cruise ships now accommodate thousands of people, and just like back home, food and drink is extensively packaged and during preparation these floating towns generate an extensive amount of waste. How is it this waste handled? Where does it all go?

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Presentations - Destination Related Topics

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1. New Caledonia and Its Islands
New Caledonia consists of 170 islands in 28 groups with only 36 islands inhabited. Noumea, a little piece of France in the Pacific, is located on Grande Terre, and 125kms east, the islands Ouvéa, Lifou, Tiga and Maré are the Loyalty Islands. 100kms south east of Grande Terre, the Isle of Pines foots the great Southern Lagoon. Each has a story – come and find out what these stories are.

2. Isle of Pines and New Caledonia
Isle of Pines’ pottery fragments have been dated at around 1500BC. According to ancestral wisdom, warriors of Tongan descent settled on the Isle of Pines about 300 years ago followed by European explorers, missionaries and traders looking for precious sandalwood. In 1872, the Isle of Pines was transformed into a convict settlement for 3000 Paris political deportees. Today, it’s a little different. Discover the Kanak life in all its authenticity and enjoy the natural hospitality of the island people as their guest.

3. Noumea, Lifou and New Caledonia
The 1853 French territory New Caledonia capital Noumea, a little piece of France in the Pacific, echoes the French Riviera with its luxury boutiques. A 100km from New Caledonia, Lifou is the largest of the four mystical, uniquely beautiful, Loyalty Islands. These islands constitute the most sumptuous of New Caledonia’s natural landscapes. Come and learn how the Loyalty islanders have managed to preserve the most powerful traditions of New Caledonia, an imaginary environment wrought with myths and legends.

4. Noumea, Lifou and Kouta Bay
In 1853 New Caledonia became French. Noumea, on Grand Terre, is known as a little piece of France in the Pacific. Lifou is the largest of the Loyalty Islands, four islands of unique beauty which preserve the most powerful traditions. In 1872, the Isle of Pines became a convict settlement. Pottery found on the Isle of Pines’ Kouta Bay coast has been dated at around 1500BC. Today, they are all somewhat different. Come and find out how.

5. Vanuatu’s and Its Mystery Island
A past ‘Happy Planet Index’ survey by the UK New Economics Foundation declared, “Vanuatu is the happiest place on earth.” Why is that? And Mystery Island, located off the southern tip of Vanuatu, is barely 1km long by 200m wide. Could its biggest mystery be that nobody lives there? If you had to pick a deserted island to be stranded on, this would be the place. With its golden beaches, palm trees and coral reef it has a legend. Do you know what it is?

6. Step Back in Time in Fiji
Bula!, a word you hear many times a day in Fiji, means “hello” and is always pronounced with a smile. Fiji is renowned for its stunning beaches, beautiful warm climate, and its unique relaxed island atmosphere. You won’t be able to escape the friendliness of the Fijian people or the sheer natural Fiji beauty – swaying palms and warm, clear water. Your respect for their customs and traditions; the lovo, meke and yaqona (kava) ceremonies, will make you their welcome guest.

7. Tasmania - Van Diemen’s Land
The predominant westerly winds, the Roaring Forties, that buffet Tasmania, travel more than 16,000kms across glacial southern oceans, cross no land, no city or industry, uncontaminated. This is the purest air on the planet. Find out what else Tasmania has to offer its relatively few residents and its many visitors.

8. New Zealand – Land of the Long White Cloud
Whilst the continents and countries of the northern hemisphere date back thousands of years, the ‘Unknown Southern Land’ (Terra Australis Nondum Cognita) of which New Zealand, like Australia, is a part, was found to exist less than four hundred years ago. Come and learn about its first settlers and its development into the towns and cities of today.

9. New Zealand – Two Islands, Worlds Apart
Once as one, 85 million years ago New Zealand split into its North and South Islands. Each island has its own unique characteristics. Find out what these differences are and the contribution each makes to the country’s economy, its flora and fauna, some of which you will have the opportunity to see in the ports we are about to visit.

10. New Zealand – Past and Present
The northern continents are known to date back thousands of years. New Zealand was ‘found’ less than 400 years ago. Learn about its formation, settlement, and development and why each island has its own unique characteristics and the contribution each makes to the country’s economy, its flora and fauna, some of which you will see in the ports we are about to visit.

11. New Zealand – Fiordland
Fiordland, on the southwest coast, is one of only a few places in the world where you can see the spectacular sight of glacial-carved fiords, glaciers, mountains, alpine ranges, lakes, rainforest environments and home to unique flora and fauna existing from the time of the supercontinent Gondwanaland. In 1990 Fiordland was named a World Heritage Site. Come and see why.

12. New Zealand – A Steppingstone to Antarctica
For centuries, the search for the lost/last continent was at the mercy of Mother Nature and at the whim of developing technology. Why was Antarctica so difficult to find and to reach; how close did early explorers first manage to get; and then what changed to make it possible for them to actually get there? And what role did Dunedin play then, and what role does it play now?

13. Antarctica – Finding It Wasn’t Easy
For centuries, the search for the lost/last continent was at the mercy of Mother Nature and at the whim of developing technology. Why was Antarctica so difficult to find and to reach; how close did we first manage to get; and then what changed to make it possible to actually get there?

14. Reaching Antarctica - Horses for Courses
At a time when the world’s population was increasing from 1billion to 2billion people something changed that paved the way to actually being able to set foot on the lost/last continent. What was this change?

15. The World’s Newest Continent
It took centuries to find and, though it is the fifth largest continent in the world, finding it wasn’t easy. Decades after its discovery it quite recently led to the shrinking of the Pacific Ocean. Why was that and where is it? Come and discover a little about Antarctica.

16. 1st to the South Pole - The Race Begins
National pride in being the 1st to reach the South Pole stimulated both British and Norwegian interest and determination. And so the race began. How did each prepare for its extreme challenges?

17. Reaching the South Pole 1st - The Differences
What were the differences in the techniques adopted by Scott and Amundsen in overcoming the extreme challenges in being the first to reach the South Pole? What were the consequences and vastly different outcomes?

18. Antarctica - The World’s Newest Continent
Since as recently as the onset of the new millennium the discovery of the world’s last/lost continent has had some significant impacts. What possible interest could Antarctica have to the leading nations of the world?

19. Antarctica and the Southern Ocean
The world’s newest ocean, the Southern Ocean, came into existence in the year 2000. Discovering Antarctica led to some significant global impacts not least of these occurring at the turn of the century. What possible interest could the Southern Ocean and Antarctica have to the nations of the world?

20. Importance of the Pacific Ocean
Without the Pacific Ocean and other oceans and seas of the world, amongst other things, we would all suffocate. What happens in the waters of the world that helps to prevent this from happening? Find out what makes the Pacific Ocean so important and the significant contributions of all oceans and seas to keeping us alive and their other day by day impacts, no matter where we live.

21. Finding Australia for the First Fleet
Australia, part of the fabled ‘Unknown Southern Land’, was found to exist less than four hundred ago. But it was not until one hundred and seventy years later that the ‘First Fleet’ arrived in Botany Bay. What led to the European discovery of Australia and what factors prompted the British decision to send the ‘First Fleet’ halfway round the world?

22. The Settlement of Sydney
In 1788, about 300,000 aborigines populated Australia. This nomadic race had inhabited the continent for more than 10,000 years. They had seen few Europeans, but two events were to play an important role in changing their way of life forever. Learn about these events, and how after more than 200 years of migration, Australia is now a multicultural society of more than 25 million.

I have worked with Celebrity, Silver Seas and RCL since 2007. Now cover Australasia/Antarctic destination regions. SI specialisms include history and development of all ships and shipping and the role of the oceans in global warming. I have over forty presentations.

YEAR SHIP VOYAGE DATES DESTINATION
2007 Celebrity Infinity - 14 Oct to 28 Oct Fort Lauderdale to San Diego via Panama Canal
2007 Celebrity Infinity - 8 Oct to 11 Nov San Diego to Fort Lauderdale via Panama Canal
2008 Celebrity Constellation - 4 Jun to 28 Jun Harwich to St Petersburg to Harwich
2008 Sea Princess - 28 Jun to 12 July Southampton to Mediterranean to Southampton
2008 Rhapsody of the Seas - 19 Oct to 01 Nov Sydney to Pacific Islands to Sydney
2009 Rhapsody of the Seas - 7 Jan to 10 Feb Sydney to New Zealand to Sydney
2009 Celebrity Mercury - 1 May to 07 Jun Vancouver to Alaska to Vancouver
2009 Celebrity Mercury - 07 Jun to 14 Jun Vancouver to Alaska to Vancouver
2009 Celebrity Mercury - 4 Jun to 21 Jun Vancouver to Alaska to Vancouver
2010 Celebrity Equinox - 24 Jun to 14 Jun Rome to Eastern Mediterranean to Rome
2010 Celebrity Equinox - 14 Jun to 25 Jun Rome to Greek Islands to Rome
2010 Rhapsody of the Seas - 04 Dec to 18 Dec Sydney to New Zealand to Sydney
2011 Independence of the Seas- 11 Jun to 25 Jun Southampton to Mediterranean to Southampton
2011 Celebrity Equinox - 12 Dec to 23 Dec Fort Lauderdale to Caribbean to Fort Lauderdale
2011 Celebrity Eclipse - 24 Dec to 31 Dec Miami to Caribbean to Miami
2011 Celebrity Constellation - 31 Dec to 14 Jan Fort Lauderdale to Caribbean to Fort Lauderdale
2012 Rhapsody of the Seas - 28 Dec to 07 Jan Sydney to Pacific Islands to Sydney
2013 Celebrity Constellation - 25 Jun to 07 Jul Amsterdam to Norway to Amsterdam
2013 Celebrity Solstice - 23 Oct to 04 Nov Sydney to Pacific Islands to Sydney
2013 Voyager of the Seas - 7 Dec to 10 Jan Sydney to New Zealand to Pacific Islands to Sydney
2014 Celebrity Eclipse - 7 June to 21 Jun Southampton to St Petersburg to Southampton
2015 Celebrity Solstice - 8 Jan to 27 Jan Sydney to Pacific Islands to Sydney
2015 Celebrity Solstice - 7 Mar to 05 Apr Sydney to Pacific Islands to Sydney
2015 Legend of the Seas - 17 Sep to 10 Oct Fremantle to Indonesia to Singapore
2016 Celebrity Infinity - 14 Feb to 28 Feb Buenos Aires to Antarctica to Buenos Aires
2016 Celebrity Solstice - 27 Nov to 09 Dec Sydney to New Zealand to Auckland
2018 Celebrity Solstice - 14 Jan to 22 Jan Sydney to Pacific Islands to Sydney
2018 Explorer of the Seas - 19 Mar to 28 Mar Sydney to Pacific Islands to Sydney
2018 Celebrity Solstice - 23 Dec to 04 Jan Sydney to New Zealand to Sydney
2019 Ovation of the Seas - 13 Nov to 23 Nov Sydney to New Zealand to Sydney
2020 Celebrity Solstice - 7 Feb to 17 Feb Sydney to Tasmania to Auckland
2022 Celebrity Eclipse - Dec to 02 Jan Sydney to Auckland to Sydney
2023 Silver Muse - 16 Jan to 28 Jan Sydney to Tasmania to Auckland