We had the pleasure of welcoming Captain Henrik Loy, Master of the world’s largest cruise ship, the ‘Icon of the Seas,’ on Thursday 23 January 2025 for the latest Stamford Lecture, which saw over 300 people attend.

Captain Loy’s talk was both awe-inspiring and inspirational. He spoke passionately about his work and the maritime industry, beginning with his early years in Bergen, Norway. From a young age, Henrik was mesmerized by the waters and knew he wanted to pursue something related to the sea. He took us on his journey, starting in 1997 as a young cadet and climbing through the ranks from Officer to Master of the Sea.

The lecture was introduced Year 13 students Ani and Oliver, who also took charge of the Q&A afterwards.

The Q&A featured a diverse range of questions, covering topics from maritime Covid protocols to Rover, the Chief Dog Officer on ‘Icon of the Seas’!

Captain Loy then discussed the navigational intricacies, naval architecture, and engineering of the ‘Icon of the Seas’, highlighting advancements in the cruise industry. He shared that the Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world, boasting a gross tonnage of 248, 663 and a length of 1,1196 feet. It features the largest water park at sea and offers a range of family friendly amenities. Captain Loy also touched on Icon of the Seas efforts towards sustainable tourism, emphasizing the ship’s contribution to environmental stewardship, including purification technologies and eco-friendly initiatives.

Captain Loy also explained the thorough rules and regulations influenced by real-life stories such as the Scilly Naval disaster, the Estonia tragedy, and the Titanic. These profound but sad accidents led to the creation of stringent rules within the maritime industry, such as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution, International Safety Management, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

In addition to his professional insights, Captain Loy recounted memorable encounters with his heroes, including physicist Stephen Hawking, who inspired his passion for physics. These personal anecdotes added a heartfelt dimension to his lecture, showcasing the profound impact that influential figures can have on one's career and aspirations.

Captain Henrik Loy concluded his lecture with a quote by James Allen from 1903 that is deeply rooted in him:

Tempest-tossed souls, wherever ye may be, under whatsoever conditions ye may live, know this in the ocean of life the isles of Blessedness are smiling, and the sunny shore of your ideal awaits your coming. Keep your hand firmly upon the helm of thought. In the bark of your soul reclines the commanding Master; He does but sleep: wake Him. Self-control is strength; Right Thought is mastery; Calmness is power. Say unto your heart, “Peace, be still!"

Our lectures are completely free of charge and are run as part of our commitment to supporting lifelong learning within our community and beyond. However, we welcome voluntary donations and the money you donate will go to supporting our bursary programme for local children.

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