Liverpool city region maritime firms are backing a future skills project based around the historic SS Daniel Adamson steam tug – but more support is needed. Tony McDonough reports

Mersey maritime firms are offering financial backing for an industry future skills project that utilises the historic art deco SS Daniel Adamson steam tug, known as the ‘Danny’.

Companies have signed up to offer support to ensure the Maritime Heritage, Maritime Futures programme. But those behind the project are also appealing to other businesses to back the initiative.

Launched in September 2023, Maritime Heritage, Maritime Futures received initial grant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It used the 120-year-old steam tug as an interactive classroom base.

With the help of the expertise of local colleges, universities, and leading local businesses, the hands-on programme is inspiring local students to explore and pursue careers in the region’s thriving maritime sector.

Now reaching the end of the grant funding period, and with ongoing demand from local colleges and universities, The Danny’s team is hoping that sponsorship by the maritime community will help them to guarantee the long-term future of the programme.

Cathriona Bourke, learning and participation manager for The Danny said: “The Danny is a wonderful symbol of the resilience and community within our region’s maritime sector.

“It feels really fitting that she should have spawned the Maritime Heritage, Maritime Futures programme, which shows young people they are heirs to a legacy of centuries of innovation whilst introducing them to some of the leading maritime innovations of today.

“The programme relies heavily on the support of our generous sponsors and industry partners, and this year their contribution is even more critical to ensure that the programme remains viable.

“Without sponsorship, we would not be able to continue empowering young people and fostering the next generation of maritime innovators.”

A sponsorship campaign was launched in January. So far a number of companies in the maritime sector have pledged their support.

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They include shipping agent Armitt, consultancy Brookes Bell, The Liverpool Marine Engineers’ and Naval Architects’ Guild, and specialist turbocharger service, repair, and parts supplier Marine Turbo.

This campaign has even attracted support from as far afield as Japan – Ian Knowles, director of IMK Marine Services who now lives in Nagasaki but worked with Liverpool’s Bibby Group as chief engineer until 2003, has also donated.

Devised and led by The Danny’s learning and participation team, and delivered over the course of an academic year, Maritime Heritage, Maritime Futures bridges Merseyside’s rich maritime heritage with the region’s rapidly expanding future opportunities.

It is designed to complement the curriculum of B-tech, T-Level, and foundation engineering students, offering them a chance to engage with the pressing challenges and opportunities presented by the maritime sector’s transition to net zero by 2050.

The Maritime Heritage, Maritime Futures sponsorship campaign is ongoing and will run throughout 2025. More details about the programme, including details about how to sign up, click here.