Harwich International Port to host fourth ‘Sea Port Role Play Day’

Harwich International Port, and Essex Education Business Partnership, in conjunction with the Haven Gateway Partnership, will be holding a 'Sea Port Role Play Day' on 7th October 2008, in the Cruise Terminal at the Port. This will be the fourth year that the event, codenamed ‘Exercise Haven Seaports’, has been held, and it is expected to attract up to 100 students from local schools.

The aim of the Exercise is to make students from the Tendring area of Essex aware of the growing employment opportunities within the Haven Gateway, and more specifically at Harwich International Port.

Students will play out an imaginary scenario in which several vessels are damaged in the Harwich Haven, and they will take on the role of the eight sectors involved in the emergency response - Harwich International Port, DFDS Tor Line, Essex County Council, Essex Police, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, Essex Ambulance Service, The Salvation Army and Harwich Haven Authority.

Throughout the day, students will be required to make important decisions and to respond to ever-changing conditions that are affected by external factors beyond their control. The safety of passengers, customer service and logistical issues will all have to be taken into consideration, whilst at the same time ensuring that resources are managed as effectively as possible. As well as problem-solving and decision-making, the students will learn important emergency planning and communication skills by participating in the Exercise. 

Chris Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, which owns Harwich International Port, said:

”As the Haven Ports continue to prosper and expand, there will be an increasing demand for young people with the right skills and abilities. We hope that ‘Exercise Haven Seaports’ will serve to give young people in the Tendring area a taste of the type of exciting careers and opportunities open to them in the maritime and logistics sector”.

The 'Sea Port Role Play Day' is based on the model of the BAA Role Play Day, successfully run in schools in the Harlow area, and has been adapted by Essex Education Business Partnership to promote the important role of the Haven Ports within the region.

Source: Transportweekly