Full Ahead Podcast: The Maritime Industry Brought to Life Through Powerful Storytelling
A new audio series, The Full Ahead Podcast, is carving out an essential space for maritime voices, personal narratives, and industry expertise. In doing so, it is transforming how the public perceives one of the United Kingdom’s most important but least understood sectors.
Created by journalist Nigel Thompson and veteran shipping executive Alistair Eagles, the podcast aims to bring the sea, its people, and its stories to wider audiences. Blending personal passion with deep-rooted industry experience, the duo set out to deliver a show that is equal parts educational, entertaining, and inspiring.
The Full Ahead podcast is more than a creative project — it’s an answer to a long-standing gap in media coverage. While maritime work powers economies and keeps supply chains moving, it rarely receives the attention it deserves.
Nigel and Alistair recognized this absence. Together, they envisioned a platform that would:
Highlight the voices behind maritime work
Share authentic stories from sea and shore
Humanize an industry often perceived as technical or distant
Inspire young people to consider careers at sea
Bridge the divide between maritime insiders and everyday audiences
The result is a show that blends storytelling with insider knowledge, offering episodes that resonate with newcomers while still delivering depth for seasoned professionals.
Nigel’s career spans more than two decades in journalism. As a former BBC correspondent, he spent years covering major national and international stories before transitioning into PR, content creation, and podcast development.
But throughout his various roles, one thread was constant: a deep personal fascination with the sea and the people whose lives revolve around it.
“Everywhere I’ve lived and worked, I’ve been drawn to the coastline,” Nigel explains. “You start to understand the passion and dedication of those who earn their living on the water. The podcast is a way to honour that.”
Alistair Eagles — A Leader Shaped by the Shipping World
Alistair brings more than three decades of hands-on maritime experience. He served 15 years as CEO of Seatruck Ferries, headquartered in Heysham, and previously worked across numerous roles in logistics and shipping.
His industry knowledge allows the podcast to go beyond superficial conversations, offering unique access to leaders, crew members, and organisations across the maritime landscape.
“Shipping isn’t always seen as dynamic — but it is,” Alistair notes. “There are so many career paths people don’t even know exist. That’s one of the reasons we created the show.”
Inside the Podcast: What Makes Full Ahead Different?
Storytelling Meets Industry Insight
Each episode is crafted not just to present information, but to bring listeners into the world of maritime work. Listeners hear from people across all corners of the sector — from chief officers and ferry operators to maritime historians, lawyers, engineers, and pilots.
The show offers:
Immersive storytelling
Authentic voices directly from ports, vessels, and maritime sites
Deep dives into maritime history
Modern developments in shipping technology
First-hand accounts of challenges and successes
Sound Design That Brings the Sea to Life
One signature feature of Full Ahead is its audio style. Nigel and Alistair incorporate real maritime sounds into many episodes:
Ferry engines rumbling
Dockside ambience
Tools being used onboard
Waves hitting the hull
Voices of crew members at work
This sonic storytelling creates a richer, more immersive experience — something that distinguishes Full Ahead from typical interview podcasts.
As Nigel describes:
“We want listeners to feel like they’re stepping into the story. The sounds of the vessels and the environment help bring everything to life.”
Episode Highlights: Stories from Sea and Shore
Episode One: The Journey of Chief Officer Harvey Finney
The debut episode sets the tone for the entire series. It follows Harvey Finney, a chief officer at Caledonian MacBrayne, whose maritime career began at just 15 years old.
Harvey initially applied for work experience at Seatruck Ferries before completing his cadetship at Fleetwood Nautical College and eventually earning his master’s unlimited ticket.
His story reflects what the podcast aims to showcase:
How young people can enter the maritime world
The realities of modern seafaring
The stages of training and certification
The long-term career potential of maritime roles
Harvey’s path demonstrates that maritime careers are not only viable but deeply fulfilling, offering lifelong learning and global opportunities.
A Podcast Responding to an Industry in Transition
Why Now? Addressing the Maritime Recruitment Challenge
The Full Ahead podcast launches at a crucial moment. The maritime sector is facing increasing pressure to attract new talent. Many young people know little about the opportunities available, and misconceptions about maritime work often discourage potential entrants.
Some key challenges include:
An aging workforce
Lack of visibility for maritime careers
A shortage of cadets and trainees
Limited public understanding of modern shipping
Fast-evolving technologies requiring new skillsets
Nigel and Alistair believe storytelling can be a powerful recruitment tool.
“We want people to understand how diverse and exciting this industry is,” Alistair says. “It’s essential for the sector’s future that newcomers see its potential.”
Exploring Maritime Innovation and Major Industry Events
On-the-Ground Reporting: The Malmo Shipping Summit
One standout example of the podcast’s broader coverage is its multi-part series recorded at a prestigious shipping summit in Malmo.
Invited as a speaker, Alistair joined global experts for discussions on topics shaping the future of maritime work.
The five-part mini-series explores:
Electric and hybrid vessel technology
AI-driven optimisation for passenger operations
Smart ports and digital logistics
Sustainability and environmental commitments
New training models for the next generation of seafarers
By unpacking complex topics in accessible language, Full Ahead helps demystify cutting-edge developments for listeners at all levels.
Honouring Maritime Heritage: A Bridge Between Past and Future
Maritime history also sits at the heart of the podcast. Recent episodes delve into historic vessels, preservation projects, and heritage communities that keep traditions alive.
A New Ferry’s First Arrival on the Irish Sea
One episode documents the long-awaited arrival of a new ferry into the Irish Sea — a moment filled with both engineering pride and emotional significance for crew, port staff, and local maritime enthusiasts.
A Day with the Daniel Adamson Volunteers
Another episode takes listeners aboard the Daniel Adamson, a heritage steam tug that operates on the Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal. The podcast captures the voices of volunteers who dedicate their time to maintaining the vessel’s legacy.
The creators highlight:
The importance of preserving maritime history
The passion of volunteers keeping historical vessels operational
How heritage projects inspire new generations of enthusiasts
A Growing Roster of Guests: From Industry Leaders to Niche Voices
Full Ahead’s guests represent the full spectrum of maritime life. Some participants already featured or upcoming include:
Mersey Maritime representatives
Crew from the world’s oldest ferry service
The owner of what may be the smallest ferry in the UK
A leading maritime lawyer
A ship pilot with decades of navigational experience
Producers of the TV series Coastguard
Shipbuilders driving technological innovation
The Scottish lighthouse service
This variety gives listeners a panoramic view of the maritime universe — from massive operations to small-scale personal projects.
Going Global: The Podcast’s International Reach
Despite its UK focus, the podcast has resonated across continents.
Listened to in Over 40 Countries
Downloads have come from:
Europe
North America
Asia
Australia
The Middle East
Coastal nations with deep maritime roots
This global engagement reflects the universality of maritime stories — and the appetite for content that humanizes an essential industry.
Expanding to New Platforms: The Launch of the YouTube Channel
To broaden its reach further, The Full Ahead team has launched a dedicated YouTube channel. This expansion allows them to share:
Video interviews
Behind-the-scenes recordings
Additional content not included in podcast episodes
Visual storytelling of maritime locations and events
It also opens the door to younger audiences who consume maritime-related content through visual platforms.
As Alistair explains:
“We want to raise the profile of maritime work in every way possible. YouTube gives us another avenue to showcase the people and innovations shaping this industry.”
Why The Full Ahead Podcast Matters: A Cultural and Industry Shift
Reclaiming Visibility for an Essential Sector
The maritime industry moves 90% of global trade, yet often remains invisible to the public. By focusing on personal experiences and real voices, Full Ahead brings long-overdue recognition to the workers and communities behind global supply chains.
A Tool for Education and Recruitment
Through its storytelling, the podcast helps:
Students discover potential career paths
Teachers introduce maritime topics
Families learn about life at sea
Industry bodies promote training and apprenticeships
Preserving Heritage While Embracing the Future
Full Ahead strikes a rare balance — honouring the past while highlighting modern innovation. This makes it valuable not only as entertainment, but as a record of maritime evolution in real time.
