"Nerve wracking" - New Shields Ferry skipper says she wants to inspire women to challenge gender stereotypes

The Shields Ferry’s newest recruit has made the grade as skipper - and she is hoping her success can act as an inspiration to other women.

Louise McDowell has become fully qualified to get behind the controls of the cross-Tyne Ferry after passing the maritime equivalent of a driving test.

She has passed her Boat Masters Licence after months of rigorous training and mentoring. It enables her to drive both of the Shields Ferry vessels – Pride of the Tyne and Spirit of the Tyne.

Louise, 45, who lives in Hebburn, hopes to inspire other women to think about a career at the Shields Ferry, overcoming the traditional gender stereotype attached to the job.

She said: “I’m absolutely delighted to become a Shields Ferry skipper. It’s been a lot of hard work, but I’ve got there.

“I hope my story inspires other women to think about a career industries like this. I would say to any woman that they should go for it. I had no previous maritime experience and I’m now fully qualified to drive the ferries.”

The test saw Louise put through their paces by an examiner from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

She was assessed on her knowledge and control of the vessel, maritime regulations, and the relevant safety procedures required to carry customers on an inland waterway.

She said: “It was a tough two-hour exam. It was nerve wracking. I was at the controls of the ferry and the examiner was sat in there with me. I was so relieved at the end when he said that I’d passed.

“I felt it had gone well. There were a lot of questions about the vessel and the regulations of the river, including things like the tide, the buoys, and various procedures. I had to manage a mock person overboard incident and then show that I could dock the boat safely at the landing.

“Once I’d found put that I had passed the first thing I did was ring my family to let them know. My mam was really emotional when I told her. It’s been a lot of hard work to get there, from myself, and the other members of the crew who have mentored me.

“Driving the Shields Ferry is a brilliant job and I feel very lucky to have got where I am. I’m excited to get started and it’s come at the perfect moment now that the service has resumed.”

Louise progressed to the Shields Ferry role last year after previously working as a Customer Service Advisor on the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Kevin Leonard, Customer Services Operations Manager at Nexus, said: “I’m really pleased that Louise has passed her boat masters licence and is now a fully-fledged member of the Shields Ferry crew.

“I know the huge amount of work she has put into the training process to prepare for the test. She can be rightly proud of her achievement.

“These tests are vital to ensure that they are qualified to drive the ferry. All our crew have to complete this process before they can take control of the vessel when it’s in customer service.”