In one of the port's biggest events of the year, cruise company P&O are gathering their entire fleet of seven ships for a review by the Princess Royal. It is a testing time for cruise and Southampton staff as they juggle passengers, luggage and logistics. The programme also meets port chaplain Rev Roger Stone and shows how one of the few female stevedores handling cargo deals with getting luxury cars loaded dent-free.
The second in a three-part documentary series about the Port of Southampton. The pilots who guide large ships into Southampton, assisted by the marine staff on patrol and those in the control tower, are at the heart of making the port work smoothly. They are challenged by the danger of ships going aground and by dealing with leisure craft which frequently get in the way of the safest route into Southampton. Plus the work involved in turnaround day for a cruise ship, and a family on board spring a birthday surprise for dad.
Three-part documentary series looking behind the scenes at the Port of Southampton. The 'C' team from the container terminal at Southampton try and move a record number of containers off a giant ship in a 12-hour shift. Crane driver Darren White's reputation is at stake as he tries to keep the momentum up while operating in his cab 50 metres up in the air. We also see the wheels come off for thieves trying to smuggle four stolen cars jam packed in a container, while at the Border Inspection Post, the Port Health team are on the lookout for dodgy food coming into Britain.
It is a big weekend for Red Funnel ferries, as thousands of people head for one of Britain's biggest music festivals on the Isle of Wight. Hard-pressed staff must deal with chock-a-block sailings and trying to stick to their timetables. On board the QM2, interiors specialist Jo Raven is keeping Cunard's flagship vessel ship-shape, while at the cruise terminal the Reverend Roger Stone is helping a crew member from India to find his grandfather's grave.
Second part in a new series, looking behind the scenes at the Port of Southampton. Hundreds of people who keep the port running are often hidden from view. Peter Roberts is a bunkering tanker skipper providing fuel for ships around the port, while Chase Wyeth's job as a tug skipper may involve some very unsavoury tasks. But the water is at the heart of people's pastimes as well as their work. Volunteers on a vintage steamship view it as an 'allotment at sea', while weekend sailors also uphold a bastion of English eccentricity - the annual cricket match at the Bramble Bank in the middle of the Solent.
Showbiz at sea! In a special episode, Sea City follows a cast of new recruits to the Academy, where young performers on P&O cruise ships learn and rehearse their shows. With a gruelling eight-week schedule before they join the Aurora on a round the world cruise, the singers and dancers must get their stagecraft up to scratch and impress creative director Stevie Bee. Sea City then joins them on their cast debut on board Aurora, as they fight sea sickness and first night nerves. Will they win over their first audience of passengers?
At the Royal Marines School of music in Portsmouth candidates battle it out for a career in the Royal Marines Band Service, one of the finest bands in the world.
For centuries it's been Tyneside's industrial heart. So how is life changing on the river?
How new challenges and old skills make Plymouth one of Britain's most vibrant and exciting maritime cities.
It's one of the most famous views in the world - and one of the UK's busiest ports. This is a rare chance to meet the people who work behind the scenes along the waterfront, and see over a million people turn out to watch a choreographed 'River Dance' by the ships in a memorable display that rekindles Liverpool's pride in its shipping heritage. The Mersey is also the backdrop for an annual charity swim - the rainy weather, tides, cold water and even jellyfish conspire against the brave souls raising cash for their favourite causes.
Dock workers in Hull deal with a rare cruise ship visit in a hectic ten-hour turnaround of passengers and baggage. Two best friends become rivals in the powerboat racing grand prix of the sea. And we go behind the scenes with the teams keeping the treacherous waters of the Humber open for shipping.
