BCIT’s first Marine Engineering student heads to New York to complete program aboard RMS Queen Mary 2
BURNABY, BC: For the first time ever, British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Marine Engineering student Matthew Thomas will head to New York where he is scheduled to board Cunard Line’s world-renowned ocean-liner, RMS Queen Mary 2. As part of his third co-op work term at the BCIT Marine Campus (BMC), Matthew will fly to New York and board the prestigious ship on October 4.
"We enjoy a highly successful relationship with BCIT, and following the completion of his training, we are delighted to welcome Matthew on board Queen Mary 2 as a 3rd Engineer Officer,” says Debbie Baldey of Carnival UK, the parent company of cruise brands including Cunard, Princess Cruises, etc.
Having previously sailed aboard Princess Cruises’ Sapphire Princess and Dawn Princess during his first and second co-op work terms, Matthew visited a vast array of countries including Russia, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico, and China. A native of Richmond, BC, Queen Mary 2 will now take Matthew to additional ports of call including Southampton, New York, Florida, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. RMS Queen Mary 2, over 1,000 feet in length and capable of carrying 3,000 passengers and a crew of 1,253, is reminiscent of the golden age of ocean travel but is vastly larger than ships of that era.
“We are very proud of our relationship with the cruise ship industry,” says John Clarkson, associate dean of the BCIT Marine Campus. “Particularly our relationship with Princess/Cunard, as we are the only marine campus in North America supplying cadets to Princess/Cunard, with the subsequent international recognition of our outstanding Nautical Sciences and Marine Engineering students.”
Recently, Matthew was presented with his 
3rd Engineer Officer rank epaulettes signifying his new level of responsibility as a qualified marine engineering officer. The BCIT Marine Engineering program prepares students with an understanding of a ships propulsion plant and all associated shipboard systems. At this stage of the program, Matthew has obtained his 4th Class motor certification from Transport Canada and is now a licensed officer. The program sees marine engineers working all over the world on a variety of ships such as oil tankers, bulk carriers, off shore supply vessels as well as the cruise ship industry.
Above picture by BCIT of Marine Engineering officer Matthew Thomas applies his BCIT knowledge to trouble shoot an engine failure in the BCIT Marine Campus engine room simulator. October 1, 2008Labels: around the world, Canada, Carnival, Queen Elizabeth 2, School, seafarers, west coast
3rd Engineer Officer rank epaulettes signifying his new level of responsibility as a qualified marine engineering officer. The BCIT Marine Engineering program prepares students with an understanding of a ships propulsion plant and all associated shipboard systems. At this stage of the program, Matthew has obtained his 4th Class motor certification from Transport Canada and is now a licensed officer. The program sees marine engineers working all over the world on a variety of ships such as oil tankers, bulk carriers, off shore supply vessels as well as the cruise ship industry.