0:00:02 > 0:00:05Around the coast of Britain are cities where lives
0:00:05 > 0:00:07are shaped by the sea.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11Whoa, turbot. Nice turbot. Lovely job.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16Each city is a gateway to the wider world, and around each city,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19thousands of people work in jobs that touch all of our lives,
0:00:19 > 0:00:21whether it's shipping cars...
0:00:21 > 0:00:24We're just short of £29 million worth we're doin' today.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26..or importing fruit.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29What I love about bananas is they don't answer back.
0:00:29 > 0:00:30Jobs that keep the nation afloat.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33This is the tricky bit. This is where the skill comes in.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Where every day brings fresh challenges.
0:00:37 > 0:00:38Go! Go!
0:00:38 > 0:00:42These are cities that welcome the Navy - both serving sailors
0:00:42 > 0:00:43and new recruits.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- Let's work hard. - From clocking on in the morning...
0:00:46 > 0:00:48You should see me flying a kite, mate. I'm brilliant.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50..to relaxing after work.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51It's all part of the warm up.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Around the shores and rivers of people's home towns...
0:00:54 > 0:00:55Break, together!
0:00:55 > 0:00:57..water is a way of life.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04In the northwest of England, Liverpool is cashing in on a
0:01:04 > 0:01:06cruise-ship revival.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08I love it when a plan comes together.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11That was amazing. That was just sending a message to the world.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Look, we're here.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Scousers are swimming against the tide...
0:01:16 > 0:01:18- It's definitely one of the toughest. - The mighty Mersey.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22..and the daily commute is a treat, not a chore.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25This ten minutes of relaxation, it's just a beautiful experience.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Along the banks of the Mersey, Liverpool is waking up,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42but the river is already busy.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Near the Liver Building, a stone's throw away from the city centre,
0:01:51 > 0:01:53is the cruise terminal.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57This morning, Royal Princess is in town, and terminal manager,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Angie Redhead, is preparing to welcome hundreds of passengers
0:02:00 > 0:02:02heading for a day ashore.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06Isn't it gorgeous, now, though? It's absolutely lovely.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Anything and everything that happens to those people,
0:02:09 > 0:02:11is really our responsibility.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15We want to them to have the absolute best experience of Liverpool
0:02:15 > 0:02:16that they can.
0:02:16 > 0:02:21There's 3,500 passengers on board, predominately American passengers.
0:02:21 > 0:02:22Sorry, folks, sorry.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26So there's, you know, 25,000 people in a season
0:02:26 > 0:02:29just from this one cruise ship coming into the city.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33It's just a lot of people that will all come off that gangway,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36come up this bridge and go through that building.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41It's like climbing Everest.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43There's a bridge at low tide and it's very steep.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45It's not too bad at the moment.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48These are new uniforms that we got this year, as well.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- We love the new uniforms, don't we?- Yeah.- I don't.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52I'd rather have it in pink.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Will it go round twice? It will go round twice, there you are.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05You've gone all Audrey Hepburn, now. I love the uniforms.
0:03:05 > 0:03:06I think they look brilliant.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11These passengers are on holiday and need to feel like they're
0:03:11 > 0:03:14on holiday, so as soon as the ship is tied up safely,
0:03:14 > 0:03:15we just take care of them, really.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18We take care of everything, from the beginning of the day
0:03:18 > 0:03:19right to the very end.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Good morning, folks. Where are we off to today?
0:03:24 > 0:03:29We are off to see some museums and a lot of architecture.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31- You want a map, then, won't you? - Oh, please.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34- All our museums are free.- Wonderful, and what time do they open?
0:03:34 > 0:03:36- Ten o'clock.- Excellent.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40The only volunteer that I've got a problem with, is that one over
0:03:40 > 0:03:42there, Alan. He's terrible.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- Hello.- Good morning. - Good morning.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48I'm just telling them you're my favourite volunteer.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52That's not what you normally say. It's normally, "Oh, it's him again."
0:03:53 > 0:03:58Alan and Frank are our volunteer coordinators and for this
0:03:58 > 0:04:02extra responsibility, we pay you in extra biscuits.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05We get double pay. We have biscuits as well as a sandwich.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13Sometimes, even now, eight years on, I still look and I think...
0:04:14 > 0:04:19One, how does it float? And two, look. Look at the location.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23It's the only city I know that you can step off the ship
0:04:23 > 0:04:24and be in the city.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28MUSIC PLAYS
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Hello, gentlemen.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41Angie's on a mission. She's got a special delivery for the captain.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45We come on and off the vessels, but normally we go as far
0:04:45 > 0:04:49as the gangway, because, you know, we're dealing with the security
0:04:49 > 0:04:53officers onboard, predominately, about different bits and bobs,
0:04:53 > 0:04:57so it's rare to, kind of, get access to all areas of the ship,
0:04:57 > 0:04:59but certainly the bridge.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04This is nice, though, isn't it? Garden feature.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07INTERVIEWER: Have you ever been on a cruise?
0:05:07 > 0:05:10I've been on a couple of cruises.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Only three nights.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17Three nights is long enough, I have to say, because it's not
0:05:17 > 0:05:21a busman's holiday, of course, but I work in the travel industry.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26I've worked in the travel industry 25 years, so when I go on holiday,
0:05:26 > 0:05:31I like to be as far away from other people, on holiday, as possible.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34Angie's on her way to the bridge, five decks above, through a
0:05:34 > 0:05:36ship that's buzzing with activity.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43I'm from Napoli area where our coach... Rafael Benitez.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47We are connected to Liverpool and, for me, as a Neapolitan
0:05:47 > 0:05:50supporter, I went to Anfield Road.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54We compare Napoli with Liverpool and we see where we should be.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56It's very difficult for us.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Good afternoon. How are things? Is everything all right?
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Are you having a good time?
0:06:00 > 0:06:03We have almost 2,000 passengers on today.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05Everything has to be prepared.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10All the lounges have to be ready for receiving passengers.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14We always need to be prepared for passengers coming back for lunch.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- Are the kids having fun?- They are.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19The passengers may be relaxing,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21but Royal Princess's kitchens are flat out.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29Eight tonne of beef and chicken will be consumed in 12 days.
0:06:29 > 0:06:36Seven tonne of flour, about 6,000 eggs, six tonne of tomatoes,
0:06:36 > 0:06:39one tonne of cucumbers.
0:06:40 > 0:06:443,000lbs of bacon and the list goes on and on and on.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49What they're making at the moment is strawberry cream cakes
0:06:49 > 0:06:52and that will be served later in the day.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55How many will you be making totally from that, today?
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- 70.- 70 cakes.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05We're going to be serving, today, mushroom and spinach quiche
0:07:05 > 0:07:08and this has just been coming fresh out of the oven.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14We make about 60, because we're not busy today at lunch,
0:07:14 > 0:07:20because most of the people are visiting beautiful Liverpool.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24200 feet above the quayside, Angie's making that delivery
0:07:24 > 0:07:27to Royal Princess' captain, Bob Oliver.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31This is the Spirit of Liverpool, which is by a local sculptor
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- and we present these to our captains.- Thank you so much.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38Just as a little gift, so that's from us to you.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- Take Liverpool with you on your travels.- Thank you very much.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Just like to say it's the first time in Liverpool on a ship since 1974.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- Really?- There has been an enormous change since then
0:07:48 > 0:07:50and it's really good to see.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Lovely to meet you, anyway,
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Captain Bob, and have a good journey.
0:07:54 > 0:07:59Never ceases to amaze me just how close the Liver buildings look,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01when you look out there.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03I always say it looks like you could, kind of,
0:08:03 > 0:08:06just stroke the wings of the Liver building. It's fantastic.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08If you were the captain of the ship,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10you could never get bored of that view.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12This has got to be one of the best views, I think,
0:08:12 > 0:08:14of any port in the world.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Pete, I'm on the bridge of the ship. Look up.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19He's laughing his head off.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Oh, it's great, that is, isn't it?
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Before she heads back ashore, there's one temptation
0:08:29 > 0:08:30Angie can't resist.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34It doesn't matter who it belongs to, where it's come from.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37When a girl sees a hat, she just has to try it on.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42It's a perfect fit. Now, which way are we going?
0:08:42 > 0:08:44# Love, love me do
0:08:44 > 0:08:47# You know I love you
0:08:47 > 0:08:51# I'll always be true
0:08:51 > 0:08:52# So please... #
0:08:52 > 0:08:55The cruise ship passengers know exactly where they're going
0:08:55 > 0:08:56and what they want to see.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58The most successful and the most famous,
0:08:58 > 0:09:02the most influential and the greatest band of all time.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09I'm a Beatles fan.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11If you look up, there's a little statue on the wall, there,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14that says, four lads who shook the world.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Pam Orris and her husband, who run a chocolate shop in New Jersey,
0:09:17 > 0:09:19are living a dream.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21It captures the moment.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24I don't know how you can come to Liverpool without doing
0:09:24 > 0:09:28things with the Beatles. I love the Beatles.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30# Love, love me do.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32# You know I love you... #
0:09:32 > 0:09:34Penny Lane!
0:09:34 > 0:09:36R and P, for Rick and Pam.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- Many of the tourists know their Beatles history.- Thank you.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44- OK, you're welcome.- They're a little more rusty on geography.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48If you want Abbey Road, you've got to go to London. St John's Wood.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55- Lovely.- Thanks, everybody. Thanks very much. Thank you.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57The magical mystery tour's over.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01Back at the terminal, Angie's checking on how her team's done.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- SHE READS: - "A beautiful city, a hidden gem.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06"Clean and friendly. Thank you, Liverpool, for the warm welcome.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09"A very warm welcome at the volunteer hub
0:10:09 > 0:10:13"and we were given lots of useful info by Frank."
0:10:13 > 0:10:14- LAUGHTER - Frank.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Alan, I see Frank's been writing his own comments cards again!
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- LAUGHTER - "Frank was very helpful."
0:10:20 > 0:10:22- Oh, he's at it again, is he? - LAUGHTER
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- Yeah.- Going to have to tell them off, you know.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27He's got about five different pens in his pocket.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- We're onto him now. - Yeah, he normally uses a red pen.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31- LAUGHTER - Yeah.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44As the passengers begin to arrive back at the cruise ship,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Angie spots a potential problem heading their way.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50I'm just wondering if you've got sight of the ferry yet.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Is she in the river? Over.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55'It's 5:20 now.'
0:10:55 > 0:11:00At 5:30, the ferry from the Isle of Man comes in to the pontoon
0:11:00 > 0:11:03right next door to us and we share the same bridge.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07We go through this same lottery every time we have a shipping.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09There's never a right answer,
0:11:09 > 0:11:13because we'll put a plan in place and then the ferry will be early.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- RADIO BEEPS - Ange to Pete.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Just to let you know, I'm at the top of Gate Three,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20so I've got sight of the ferry. It's not berthed yet.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22We've probably got about five minutes. Over.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26As soon as you see that ramp coming down, you go,
0:11:26 > 0:11:28"That's it now. Forget it".
0:11:28 > 0:11:30The ferry is about to tie up.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34In a few minutes, her passengers will be pouring up the gangway.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Angie's cruise ship customers will have to take a detour.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41Take a wander along, you can go on at the far gangway.
0:11:41 > 0:11:42Take a wander.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45'I'm trying to explain to American passengers,
0:11:45 > 0:11:47"Sorry, you can't go back to the ship",
0:11:47 > 0:11:49and you see fear in their eyes.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57BIRDS CAW
0:12:00 > 0:12:03Royal Princess, like every cruise ship,
0:12:03 > 0:12:05operates to a tight timetable.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07She must leave at 7:30,
0:12:07 > 0:12:09but there are still passengers ashore.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11We're missing 30, so...
0:12:13 > 0:12:16Here's a few just getting off this minibus here.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- RADIO CHATTER - Two, four, six, seven.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20Thank you.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Oh, here's another minibus.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27We've had a couple close to missing the boat,
0:12:27 > 0:12:29but not actually done it.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31A young American couple,
0:12:31 > 0:12:33they got back very, very close.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36Just as they were pulling the gangway up.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39The husband basically just ran off and left the wife,
0:12:39 > 0:12:43so we had to look after his wife and take her along to the gangway,
0:12:43 > 0:12:47but they made it, so we haven't lost anybody yet.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Only moments to go before the gangways are closed.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52The deadline is five minutes ago.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56They do get... Even though they're the passengers,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59they will get shouted out for being late. It's, like, really...
0:12:59 > 0:13:02It is really strict, what time they need to be back on board.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04It takes 45 minutes for us
0:13:04 > 0:13:06to let the ropes go.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Ten. One, two, three, four.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Four there. Six.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13We're still missing one person.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17The ship has to leave on the tide.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20If the missing man isn't here in a few seconds,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22he'll be looking at an empty berth.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24- RADIO: - That one passenger's on his way now.
0:13:24 > 0:13:25Oh, OK.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38There'll be no five courses tonight.
0:13:38 > 0:13:39LAUGHTER
0:13:39 > 0:13:42They'll cut his dinner down to three courses!
0:13:46 > 0:13:48'I'm a Liverpool girl.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51'I see how proud me dad is of what I've done
0:13:51 > 0:13:54'and me grandad was a docker.
0:13:54 > 0:13:59'Big passenger ships back on this river here,
0:13:59 > 0:14:01'at the pier head,
0:14:01 > 0:14:06'is kind of that real symbol of Liverpool's regeneration, really.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09'Because that's where our greatness came from
0:14:09 > 0:14:11'hundreds of years ago.'
0:14:29 > 0:14:33For 700 years, boats have carried passengers across the river.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37These days, the train or tunnel may be quicker,
0:14:37 > 0:14:39but thousands of commuters still choose to travel
0:14:39 > 0:14:41on the Mersey ferry.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50Morning.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Morning.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55MUSIC: Ferry Cross The Mersey by Gerry and the Pacemakers
0:14:58 > 0:15:04# Life goes on day after day... #
0:15:04 > 0:15:07I just think this ten minutes just gives you that relaxation,
0:15:07 > 0:15:10instead of being sort of crammed into a small tiny space.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13It's just a beautiful experience.
0:15:13 > 0:15:14It's kind of iconic, isn't it?
0:15:14 > 0:15:18One of the sort of most recognisable skylines...
0:15:18 > 0:15:19I suppose, in the world.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21When you're getting on the train, it's all so rushed
0:15:21 > 0:15:24and everyone's rushing to get there. With this, you just get on, relax
0:15:24 > 0:15:27and then you can sort of think about whatever you want to think about.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29And then start your day when you get into work.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32On the bridge is Captain Robbie Quinn.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35He's been sailing on the Mersey for nearly 40 years.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38# So ferry 'cross the Mersey...#
0:15:38 > 0:15:41I came here as a summer hand in 1977.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Worked on deck,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47became a mate in 1984.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Acting captain in 1994.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54And then made full-time captain in 2008.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56I think, what a great job.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Which it is.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01I probably wouldn't swap it for anything else now.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03- See the seal over there? - Oh, there's a seal down there.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Definitely don't get seals on the train.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08I've never seen that. That was really good.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10If you happen to finish work early,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12coming back and you jump on the ferry in the middle of the day,
0:16:12 > 0:16:16it's absolutely crammed with tourists from all over the world.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18And, you know, you think...
0:16:18 > 0:16:20this ferry's been around for such long time,
0:16:20 > 0:16:21surely someday people will think,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24"Ah, that's it. We're forgotten about. We'll move on".
0:16:24 > 0:16:25But it's still an institution.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30# Here I always will stay... #
0:16:32 > 0:16:36The Mersey ferry is as famous as the city it serves.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38To be honest, I encourage people to get it.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41I think they should get it. It...
0:16:41 > 0:16:42You can't beat it.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44How many people get to say they get to go to work on a boat?
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Now that I've done it, I wish I'd done it sooner.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51# And here I'll stay
0:16:51 > 0:16:54# Here I'll stay. #
0:17:08 > 0:17:10Upstream of the cruise terminals,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Eastern locks are the gateway to the Manchester ship canal.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17From here, tugs guide ships up the channel.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Carmet Tug Company is a family business.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Three generations of the Metcalfes -
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Ian, his son Brett, and grandson Joshua -
0:17:28 > 0:17:31are about to start another working day.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Ian still remembers how it all began.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38I had a little work boat called The Teenie.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Maybe bought it for £900.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44Every school holiday was spent on that old, leaking...
0:17:44 > 0:17:46wooden sailing boat.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50And I had a marvellous upbringing all the way around boats.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52I had no choice, really. It's the only thing I ever wanted to do.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54I was on tug when I was six weeks old,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57so I've seen it when we had the old tugs, back in the olden days.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59I've seen it grow since then, as well.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02But it's really good being involved with family.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Sometimes it can be a bit frustrating.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06But, no, we tend to get on pretty well,
0:18:06 > 0:18:08which makes it a little bit easier.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11I'm know these two are doing a great job. There's no two ways about it.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13I just sit at my desk and do the crossword now.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15LAUGHTER
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Nowadays, Grandad, HAS taken a step back,
0:18:18 > 0:18:20but he hasn't quite let go.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24I actually left Carmet Tugs after 17 years, when he was 65,
0:18:24 > 0:18:26because he wouldn't leave,
0:18:26 > 0:18:28so I bought him three retirement presents,
0:18:28 > 0:18:30told him the next one's a bullet,
0:18:30 > 0:18:32and he still wouldn't go. And he's still there now.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37The company has four tugs operating on the ship canal,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39which runs east from the Mersey.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44We're just on our way up to the ship now.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46We're just coming through Ellesmere Port Docks,
0:18:46 > 0:18:48where the ships are. Ellesmere Port flats there.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52You can just see, in the distance, the Stanlow Oil Refinery.
0:18:52 > 0:18:53So, once we get around this corner,
0:18:53 > 0:18:56we'll have a good eye from the ship there.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58The 36-mile-long canal was built
0:18:58 > 0:19:02so oceangoing ships could reach inland Manchester via the Mersey.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Many of the ships using it, over a century on,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08are tankers travelling to and from the refinery.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Vessels over a certain size coming into the canal
0:19:11 > 0:19:14require tugboats, so we have one tug.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17We'll be going on the head of the ship and the Viking,
0:19:17 > 0:19:20that's behind us, will be going on the stern of the ship.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Round the bend, there's a problem.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Their way is blocked by another ship.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30This is another ship that's on the way out.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34She's 23 metres, so she's getting on to be
0:19:34 > 0:19:36the biggest ship that we can get in here.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44At the moment, we have to wait in this berth while they pass, because,
0:19:44 > 0:19:48as you can see there, it's so narrow, where she is coming through.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52'The tugs are there mainly to guide them.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55'They're an insurance policy, if you like. But they are also there'
0:19:55 > 0:19:58when you get up to the berth or down to the lock,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01then they'll assist the ship alongside,
0:20:01 > 0:20:03where the pilot won't have to use his engines as much as he would do
0:20:03 > 0:20:05if he didn't have tugs.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07It is a few miles to the terminal,
0:20:07 > 0:20:11past the industrial sites, which now crowd the canal banks.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15This is a marine highway, where every day is different.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18This is just pure joy.
0:20:18 > 0:20:19I mean, it's...
0:20:19 > 0:20:22As my father has said, it's a hobby.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24We play boats, all of us.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27All of us Metcalfes have been playing boats
0:20:27 > 0:20:29since we were knee-high to grasshoppers.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32And we just carry on doing it, but the difference is now,
0:20:32 > 0:20:34we get paid for doing it.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37At the jetty, the tanker's crew are waiting.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Their ship will have to be pulled backwards into the channel.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45This is the tricky bit. But, yeah, this is where the skill comes in.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47The skill comes in.
0:20:47 > 0:20:48Once we're going in a straight line,
0:20:48 > 0:20:51then we are there as insurance.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54And, hopefully, we won't be needed.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Once the Viking has eased the tanker clear...
0:20:58 > 0:21:01..Joshua uses his tug, the Victory,
0:21:01 > 0:21:03to assist with the manoeuvre.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07That's the Victory putting weight on you now, pilot.
0:21:07 > 0:21:08- RADIO:- Thank you.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11'We're just finalising the swing. I'm just pushing the bar around,'
0:21:11 > 0:21:13so she's straight down the canal.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Just keeping an eye on the...
0:21:15 > 0:21:17the wall there, to make sure she's clear.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19We don't want to swing her too fast.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21Some would say I was brainwashed into it,
0:21:21 > 0:21:23being on tugs as a youngster.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25But it is something I really enjoy.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27I tried to delay working for Carmet a little bit
0:21:27 > 0:21:30by going to university, but was it was inevitable, really,
0:21:30 > 0:21:31I was going to end up working here.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33But it is just a fun job.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36My hobby is sailing, as well, so...
0:21:36 > 0:21:38I've spent all my life around boats.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40It may seem very relaxed,
0:21:40 > 0:21:43but it's not always plain sailing.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46I mean, the greatest danger for a tugboat is the fact that,
0:21:46 > 0:21:50if we have an engine breakdown or lack of steering judgement,
0:21:50 > 0:21:52then the ship can overtake us.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55If it overtakes us, one of two things will happen.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Either he will pull us over sideways...
0:21:58 > 0:22:01or we'll flatten out alongside the ship,
0:22:01 > 0:22:03which is the lesser of the two dangers.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05But the problem is, with the width of the canal,
0:22:05 > 0:22:09it's not wide enough for us to be alongside the ship, so...
0:22:09 > 0:22:11so it is a danger.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13But you've just got to keep ahead of the ship.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16It shouldn't happen, but then I have to touch wood...
0:22:16 > 0:22:18just in case.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20A great way of earning a living.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22It's just very frustrating to let...
0:22:22 > 0:22:24let the young fellows do it.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26And we sit here and watch.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29But I do take a lot of pride in it.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31They are good at what they do.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35The Victory. Thanks a lot, pilot. Talk to you again soon.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38The tanker's released at the lock gates.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40She can head for sea,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43as Carmet move on to their next job.
0:22:43 > 0:22:44Well, I reckon, in 100 years,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47I'm sure there'll be a Carmet Tug Company.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49I'm certainly going to leave it in safe hands,
0:22:49 > 0:22:51with Joshua and Patrick.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54And it's up to them to...
0:22:54 > 0:22:56to bring on the next generation, I would say.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59And I hope they brainwash them the same way as I brainwashed my two.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Out in the river, it's a nice day for a dip.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17Brave souls are training for the Cross Mersey swim.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21It's a mile long in dangerous water.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24But they will be raising money for charity.
0:23:28 > 0:23:29Take your time. It's all right.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36Six-year-old George Johnson will be one of those helped this year.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40George has a rare condition, which needs treatment in America.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44Oh, no. Careful, there's a jellyfish.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46'George's stomach doesn't work,'
0:23:46 > 0:23:50so anything that sits into George's stomach causes huge spasms and pain.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53I've got...I've got, like...
0:23:53 > 0:23:54I've got a stoma bag and...
0:23:56 > 0:23:59..a drainage tube, or whatever it's called.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01- Mic-Key button. - Mic-Key button. Erm...
0:24:02 > 0:24:04You have a bit of a sore tummy, don't you?
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Doesn't really matter.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09'At the moment, we haven't even got a diagnosis,'
0:24:09 > 0:24:13so, until we've got back, we don't really know what to do to help him.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16He's had 86 operations and procedures since he's been born.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- Oh, there is a leg off one of the crabs.- Where?
0:24:19 > 0:24:21'The big goal that we've got is to'
0:24:21 > 0:24:24try get George over to Ohio in America
0:24:24 > 0:24:26to see a doctor over there, because we think
0:24:26 > 0:24:29if we got any chance of getting a diagnosis
0:24:29 > 0:24:32or getting more of an understanding of what's going on with George,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35it's going to be maybe over in the States that we can get this.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- Get it! - SHE LAUGHS
0:24:37 > 0:24:39'I get stressed out.'
0:24:42 > 0:24:44I just want to get a new one.
0:24:44 > 0:24:45- INTERVIEWER:- A new what?
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Tummy.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51He has something called spasms that really gets him in pain
0:24:51 > 0:24:53and it really hurts his tummy.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57- INTERVIEWER:- And what do you feel like when you see him in pain?
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Really sad.
0:24:59 > 0:25:00Cos he's my brother.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05I want to help him get better.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Mersey swimmer Phil Walton is a long-standing friend of the family.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17'George's dad is a very, very good friend of mine.'
0:25:17 > 0:25:18And so is his uncle.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22They are both friends of mine. We go back a long, long time.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25And, obviously, when George came along, you know, I could see
0:25:25 > 0:25:28firsthand what the family was going through on a daily basis.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Phil has been amazing. He's...
0:25:30 > 0:25:31George called him Iron Man,
0:25:31 > 0:25:34because some of the challenges that he does are just unbelievable.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36And especially his latest one is crazy.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40You know, swimming from Liverpool over to Birkenhead.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42'Sometimes, I think to myself, "I've had a bit of a bad day",
0:25:42 > 0:25:45and I think, "Bloody hell, what I've been through is nothing,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48"compared to what they go through". That's every day of their lives.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51Yet they just handle it, they get on with it. They show great spirit,
0:25:51 > 0:25:53great compassion and just get on with things.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55And nothing is too much for them.
0:25:55 > 0:25:56I like that!
0:26:01 > 0:26:03What do you reckon it's going to be, Ian?
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Ooh, hopefully, a balmy 25 degrees,
0:26:06 > 0:26:09- but somehow...- I'm thinking it may not be 25 degrees today.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11- LAUGHTER - I've got a feeling
0:26:11 > 0:26:13it's going to be pretty cold.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15On the morning of the swim,
0:26:15 > 0:26:18team members Ian Reid and Richard Webster
0:26:18 > 0:26:20have one final check to carry out.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24Think it's going to be around 14 degrees,
0:26:24 > 0:26:27which is what we're used to, but we're used to swimming in a wetsuit,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30so most of us haven't done much no-wetsuit swimming.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33The Mersey ferry boat now is, erm...
0:26:33 > 0:26:35fighting back against the tide, which is incoming.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38That's the kind of forces that we're going to be working against later,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41because the tide is going to be going the other way by that stage.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44In an hour or so's time, the water will be up here.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46And that will be where we actually finish.
0:26:46 > 0:26:47That's the finish of the event.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50You've got to come round and touch this.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54A couple of years ago, I was the other side of the jetty,
0:26:54 > 0:26:56swimming as hard as I possibly could,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59and couldn't get here. I had to give up and get in the boat.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01If you miss the exit on the swim, you've got no hope.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04If you miss this corner. If you don't come round the corner
0:27:04 > 0:27:06and just hug the coroner and touch it...
0:27:06 > 0:27:07- You're out. - ..it's all over.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Liam Hanlon has organised the swim.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12I think it is a bit mad, but to get up in the morning and see
0:27:12 > 0:27:16the sun shining and then to look at this stretch of water and think,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19I'm going to be swimming that later, it's a fantastic feeling.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21Everyone's upbeat,
0:27:21 > 0:27:23but the weather is going downhill.
0:27:23 > 0:27:28This year's swim could be one of the most dangerous so far.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42Over the water to Anglesey. 80 miles west of Liverpool.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45This is the best place to join large ships
0:27:45 > 0:27:49which need expert help to get them safely into port.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52The Mersey River Pilots are based here.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56And Chris Brooker is about to meet up with a Greek oil tanker.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Today, the big responsibility is really the cargo.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02It's crude oil. It's a very large crude oil carrier.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04And I'll be taking over the conduct of the vessel
0:28:04 > 0:28:07and getting that ship in, which is not going to be easy today,
0:28:07 > 0:28:10because of the depth of the ship and the associated tides.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13It's 9:30 now, so, by the time we get on board,
0:28:13 > 0:28:14it's going to be ten o'clock.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16Three hours across. Perfect.
0:28:17 > 0:28:22Being a river pilot means getting to work can be a little tricky.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26The Cap Diamant is waiting 12 miles offshore.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29And, as usual, Chris arrives at the office
0:28:29 > 0:28:31by way of a rope ladder.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38'Today, it's calm, you know, it is daylight. It's straightforward.
0:28:38 > 0:28:39Sometimes, you come down here,
0:28:39 > 0:28:41it's blowing a hoolie, horizontal rain.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44It's dark, you know, it's quite dangerous out there.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46But today it should be fairly straightforward.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49Chris's skill and local knowledge are vital
0:28:49 > 0:28:52when it comes to guiding ships around the underwater hazards.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Liverpool is quite a tricky place to be a pilot.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58We have strong tides, we've got shifting sandbanks,
0:28:58 > 0:29:01we've got a lot of wrecks in the channels.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03The space under the ship, when we go into the first shallows,
0:29:03 > 0:29:05will be only 1.4 metres,
0:29:05 > 0:29:07so somewhere around there.
0:29:09 > 0:29:10Have you had a good voyage?
0:29:10 > 0:29:12- CAPTAIN:- Good morning, everybody.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15- Good morning, captain. - ALL:- Good morning.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18- How are you?- Thanks very much. - Welcome on board.- Thank you.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20- My colleague, John.- Hi, Captain. How are you doing?
0:29:20 > 0:29:21Once Chris is on the bridge,
0:29:21 > 0:29:25he takes over command from the captain, Gregorios Miris.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27It is a tradition.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31We must hand over, because of local knowledge,
0:29:31 > 0:29:34the use of tugboats,
0:29:34 > 0:29:36so it's better.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Er, of course, for sure,
0:29:38 > 0:29:41a master has always the final responsibility.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45But this is the way things are getting done.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47- So high water's 14:36.- Yes.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51Now, normally, we would be at the berth at high water.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53But, because of your draft today,
0:29:53 > 0:29:56we're going to have to be going over the shallows at high water.
0:29:57 > 0:30:02Ship navigation still involves paper charts and brainpower.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04Chris will need all of his expertise
0:30:04 > 0:30:07to bring the Cap Diamant safely into port.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10So here we have paper charts here and we're approaching the bar,
0:30:10 > 0:30:14which is here, and then we're going to come into the channel
0:30:14 > 0:30:16and this area here is Formby Shoal,
0:30:16 > 0:30:19and this is where we're going to only have 1.4 metres
0:30:19 > 0:30:23underneath the ship and then we get into the deeper water on the bend.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26We'll be making sure we don't pass any other big ships on the bend.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29This tanker is so big that it needs two pilots.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33John Slater has travelled out with Chris as an extra pair of eyes.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36When you see the ships out at sea, it's hard to perceive that
0:30:36 > 0:30:39the very nearest danger is always underneath the vessel.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43You know, we're drawing 13½ metres with only 1½ metres underneath.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47If you let yourself, sort of, drop your guard,
0:30:47 > 0:30:50the river will bite you on the bum. It really will.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54Chris has called in a tug to help steady the ship's speed
0:30:54 > 0:30:56and help with the steering.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00- Starboard 20.- Starboard 20. - Very good.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05Guiding large ships like the Cap Diamant
0:31:05 > 0:31:07is relatively straightforward in open seas,
0:31:07 > 0:31:10but fine course adjustments are much trickier
0:31:10 > 0:31:13when approaching the shallower water of the estuary.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21MONITORS BEEP
0:31:26 > 0:31:30So we're so close to the bottom now that the echo sounder's not working.
0:31:30 > 0:31:31At this point in the voyage,
0:31:31 > 0:31:35there's so little water underneath the keel that the Cap Diamant
0:31:35 > 0:31:39is just feet away from grounding on the mud.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43So you've just got to trust your calculations at these moments.
0:31:43 > 0:31:44Keep going.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54So we're crabbing across the river at the moment.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57We're not going in a straight line because the tide is pushing us
0:31:57 > 0:31:59this way and there's some wind pushing us that way
0:31:59 > 0:32:03but the net effect is the tide is winning, so I'm having to counteract
0:32:03 > 0:32:07the tide and angle the ship so we're crabbing into the...
0:32:07 > 0:32:08into the channel.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12Then when we go round the bend, we'll actually be sliding,
0:32:12 > 0:32:17so it'll be like a very slow, er, sliding turn.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26Captain Miris and his crew have spent three weeks at sea.
0:32:26 > 0:32:31Chris aims to get them safely to the end of their 3,000-mile voyage.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33We're on full ahead now.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36We're slowly increasing. We're now on 8.9.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38It was down to 8.4.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41But if we slow down too much, we'll just end up on the shallows
0:32:41 > 0:32:45to starboard and aground, so we don't want that.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54Captain, everything is good.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58We have a little bit more water, as we thought.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01The echo's showing more than 1.4.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04Once we get in the deep water, she'll pick up speed a bit more.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10Chris's ten years as a pilot have got the tanker through
0:33:10 > 0:33:14the first set of shallows, but there are more dangers ahead
0:33:14 > 0:33:17before the Cap Diamant can tie up at her berth.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28It's the day of the Cross Mersey Swim.
0:33:28 > 0:33:3115 swimmers raising money for several causes,
0:33:31 > 0:33:34including six-year-old George and his family.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37But the weather's taken a nosedive.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39All swimmers, come on in.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43OK, welcome to a bright, sunny day
0:33:43 > 0:33:49for the 22nd annual John Hulley Legacy Across Mersey Swim.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53As you can see, conditions aren't favourable...
0:33:55 > 0:33:56..or for the faint-hearted.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59The water temperature today is...
0:33:59 > 0:34:02freezing. It's very low.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04Cheer, everyone.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08The swim will begin on the Liverpool side of the Mersey
0:34:08 > 0:34:10and cross back over to Birkenhead -
0:34:10 > 0:34:13but as the swimmers head over to the start,
0:34:13 > 0:34:16the temperature drops and the heavens open.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19Crossing the river just got a great deal harder.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28On the start line, organisers are waiting to give the green light.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31The swimmers have to travel just over a mile at exactly
0:34:31 > 0:34:36the right moment to get the benefit of the tide and avoid passing ships.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39Very, very busy traffic on the river today.
0:34:39 > 0:34:40We're going to wait for a window now.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43It's all part of the warm-up!
0:34:43 > 0:34:45The pelvic thrust!
0:34:45 > 0:34:47It's chocka! Frightening.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52The responsibility's there. On those shoulders.
0:34:54 > 0:34:55The tide may take a few,
0:34:55 > 0:34:58but the boats are there to guide us, hopefully.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Even though it's one of the shorter ones,
0:35:00 > 0:35:02- it's definitely one of the toughest. - The mighty Mersey.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05We can just see the water's gone slack on the corner there.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09Get about ten minutes either side of high water.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11To be fair, we need to be going soon.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14- Good one, son.- Fella!
0:35:14 > 0:35:16But even before the tide has turned...
0:35:17 > 0:35:20..the cold weather is causing the swimmers' body temperatures
0:35:20 > 0:35:23to fall and the decision is made to start the swim early.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29But it's a risk, as the tide is pushing them up the river
0:35:29 > 0:35:31and they have further to swim.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48For safety, the swimmers move in groups, or pods.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51It allows them to help each other through the choppy water.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57One swimmer has been caught by the tide and is heading off course.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59The boat that has just gone over to him
0:35:59 > 0:36:02is making sure he gets back to his pod, which is just over there.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04So he's probably about 100 metres away from his pod.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09He's starting to veer off again. If you look where he's pointing...
0:36:09 > 0:36:13You want to get back more over there. Yeah, more that way.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15- More that way? - Yeah, because your pod,
0:36:15 > 0:36:18- you're about 100 yards away from them.- OK.- All right?
0:36:27 > 0:36:29Liam is worried about his brother Sean,
0:36:29 > 0:36:32who's also been separated from his group.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35With the tide still against them, they could be in trouble.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39- Do you want him bringing over? - Eh?- We'll go and find him.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Yeah, tell him we're waiting for him here.
0:36:42 > 0:36:43There he is.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Sean has slowed down, but he's OK.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51Tell you what, go back over to Liam and we'll just let Liam know
0:36:51 > 0:36:53that he's back here, cos he's going to be ages.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55He's going to be ten minutes.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59In freezing water, exhaustion can set in very quickly.
0:36:59 > 0:37:04Swimmer John Thelwell has spent too long waiting for Sean to catch up...
0:37:04 > 0:37:05He's coming out.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07..and he's had enough.
0:37:09 > 0:37:10OK.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14That's it, fella.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18You all right? Sean is over the other side, OK?
0:37:18 > 0:37:21He's at the other side of that ship. We're going to...
0:37:21 > 0:37:22We'll get him to the shore.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26You need to sit low, mate, cos the wind-chill will get you.
0:37:30 > 0:37:31Get the kettle on!
0:37:36 > 0:37:40- Tide changed now, yeah?- Yeah, it's just turned.- It hasn't yet!
0:37:48 > 0:37:51John's body temperature has dropped to dangerous levels,
0:37:51 > 0:37:53so the support boat rushes him in.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- Suffering from the effects of cold? - Yes.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04Once ashore, John soon warms up.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06I think it's cos we were in the water for so long
0:38:06 > 0:38:10and the tide wasn't changing. My legs have, like, seized up.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12I just had uncontrollable shivers. I was thinking,
0:38:12 > 0:38:15"Oh, I'm in a bad way." I might wear a wet suit next time.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19One by one, the exhausted swimmers cross the line.
0:38:19 > 0:38:20- You're the first one out.- Am I?
0:38:28 > 0:38:30CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:38:30 > 0:38:33- How'd you get on, chief? Did you get stung?- Yeah, loads.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37- I got really badly stung. - All over my arms and my legs.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39You brushed through them like curtains, didn't you?
0:38:39 > 0:38:42- I've never had that before.- 17, out.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44Just the current, the temperature.
0:38:44 > 0:38:49You saw the conditions out there and the rain. And all that just makes...
0:38:49 > 0:38:54Makes the swim, doesn't it? But it was brilliant. Brilliant day.
0:38:55 > 0:38:56I've just got to warm up now.
0:39:04 > 0:39:09Liam's brother Sean is one of the last to be helped onto the slipway.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12He's freezing and relieved to be back on dry land.
0:39:19 > 0:39:24Everyone's got back safely and they're beginning to warm up.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28Tough conditions today with the tide and the water temperature.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32One or two issues with guys coming across with jellyfish stings.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34A little bit of hypothermia.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Guys having to be pulled out a little bit early.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40Two guys off to hospital, just to make sure that they're OK.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42But in all, a successful event.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45So roll on next year.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48They've raised over three grand for charity.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52Half of it will go to George Johnson to get the treatment he needs.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Phil Walton swam on his behalf.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56He's a real inspiration to me
0:39:56 > 0:39:58and he really does lift your spirits every time you meet him.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01So just thinking about him going through that, I thought,
0:40:01 > 0:40:04"Crikey, there's no chance I can give up now." He's got no chance.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06He can't give up on what he's going through,
0:40:06 > 0:40:08so why should I give up on an hour-and-a-half swim?
0:40:20 > 0:40:24Back on the Cap Diamant, Chris has passed the last of the shallows.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28The next job is to navigate safely up a busy river.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31Just passing the last shallow, which is New Brighton Shoal,
0:40:31 > 0:40:33which is just there, and we're coming to starboard now
0:40:33 > 0:40:37to come back into the centre of the river. Starboard 20, please.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39- Starboard 20.- Thank you.
0:40:39 > 0:40:44There's a ship just come out of the lock and we're relying on him
0:40:44 > 0:40:47executing his turn out of the lock and then clearing that area
0:40:47 > 0:40:50completely for us, otherwise we got nowhere to go.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52Hi, Gerry. That's the Cap Diamant,
0:40:52 > 0:40:55passing east of New Brighton Shoal.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58A quick radio call from John Slater
0:40:58 > 0:41:02makes sure the two ships pass on the correct side.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06There's not a lot of room, but they can just squeeze past.
0:41:06 > 0:41:07Steady.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13Ahead, it's getting busy, so Chris calls in some extra help.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17We need the two tugs that are approaching now.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19They're going to make up number two and number three,
0:41:19 > 0:41:22in addition to the one we've already got down aft.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25And they'll be on the side for us, so that they can help us
0:41:25 > 0:41:28get close to the jetty and then when we're in position,
0:41:28 > 0:41:31I'll be asking them to push on, or pin the vessel to the jetty,
0:41:31 > 0:41:34so we don't move up and down while we get the lines out.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38- Dead slow ahead, please. - Dead slow ahead.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42Now we're going to minimum speed.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46And we'll just monitor the situation.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50However busy, there's always time for a spot of sightseeing.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54That's us there. This is 12 Quays with the ferry on.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58And down here is the cruise line terminal.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02I never tire of going past the city centre,
0:42:02 > 0:42:04especially nice and high up like this and you can see
0:42:04 > 0:42:07right over everything into the streets. It's great.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14This is one of the trickiest parts of the journey.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18The ship and its cargo of crude oil must now be slowed down
0:42:18 > 0:42:21and edged across the river to her berth.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- Dead slow astern.- Dead slow astern.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28BUTTON CLICKS, BEEPING AND WHINING
0:42:28 > 0:42:30VOICES ON RADIO
0:42:30 > 0:42:34Millgarth. In with the Millgarth, please. 50%.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38Sort of half the tug's now pulling 70% of its power.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41- And we're staying on the engine. - BEEPING
0:42:41 > 0:42:44OK, all easy now, thank you. Stop them now.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54- Stop the engine now, captain. - Stop engine.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56BEEPING
0:42:56 > 0:42:58- Engine stopped.- Thank you.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03Cap Diamant is inching towards the dock.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Chris and the captain go onto the bridge wing
0:43:05 > 0:43:07to get a clearer view of the berth.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11Yeah, we have to do the last bit really, really gently, because, er,
0:43:11 > 0:43:15when we're coming alongside, we're going to be less than 0.2 knots,
0:43:15 > 0:43:17cos, if we damaged the jetty,
0:43:17 > 0:43:20then it stops the refinery taking any more tankers
0:43:20 > 0:43:23and that means they can't produce any fuel,
0:43:23 > 0:43:27so the country would be short of 20% of its output.
0:43:33 > 0:43:37OK, just easy in, please. Just say 10%, something like that.
0:43:37 > 0:43:39- ON RADIO:- '10%.'
0:43:39 > 0:43:42The seas we get alongside, as gentle as it seems,
0:43:42 > 0:43:46um, will push the stage gently and then it floats in and out,
0:43:46 > 0:43:48so this is where it's critical that,
0:43:48 > 0:43:51no matter how much concentration's gone beforehand,
0:43:51 > 0:43:54that really peak level of concentration,
0:43:54 > 0:43:57just to make sure we finish it off properly and correctly.
0:43:57 > 0:44:00Time for the final command to the tugs.
0:44:00 > 0:44:05In position, alongside the fenders, just going to move up four metres.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08And the Millgrath in, full, as well, please, just on the fenders now.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19Another textbook mission.
0:44:19 > 0:44:23A bit of practice involved, but, yeah, it went quite well, yeah.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26- Everybody's happy. - RADIO CRACKLES
0:44:26 > 0:44:29- The jetty's safe for another day. - Nice and smooth.
0:44:29 > 0:44:31- That's our planning. - THEY LAUGH
0:44:43 > 0:44:46Across Liverpool Bay is New Brighton Beach
0:44:46 > 0:44:50and moored just off shore are a dozen wooden sailing boats.
0:44:50 > 0:44:52They're called Seabird Half Raters
0:44:52 > 0:44:55and the Mersey's been their home for over a century.
0:44:56 > 0:44:58OK.
0:44:58 > 0:45:02Andrew Reid is among the veteran sailors at Wallasey Yacht Club,
0:45:02 > 0:45:05who keep the Seabirds in tiptop condition.
0:45:05 > 0:45:08I put this web round the back.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11And it can't come off the trailer - that's the main thing.
0:45:14 > 0:45:17The boats were originally designed by some members
0:45:17 > 0:45:21of the West Lancashire Yacht Club at Southport.
0:45:21 > 0:45:24Er, this is one of the original boats. This is number nine,
0:45:24 > 0:45:27although it was the eighth boat built.
0:45:27 > 0:45:31Because, in those days, they didn't have any threes or 13s, or 33s,
0:45:31 > 0:45:33as it was considered to be unlucky.
0:45:33 > 0:45:35She was in a pretty bad state when we got her.
0:45:35 > 0:45:39Over the years, we've done her up, I've rebuilt her a couple of times,
0:45:39 > 0:45:41put all new bits of wood in it and that sort of thing.
0:45:41 > 0:45:45Most of the planking's original. Some of the keel is original.
0:45:45 > 0:45:49But all the decks are new and, er, she goes very well
0:45:49 > 0:45:51and I would say she's pretty successful.
0:45:51 > 0:45:53TOOL WHINES
0:45:55 > 0:45:58Alan Snowden is renovating another of the boats.
0:45:58 > 0:46:01He hopes to get her on the water next season.
0:46:03 > 0:46:07If I was paying someone to do this, you're talking about 30,000.
0:46:07 > 0:46:11There aren't much of us, but we enjoy it.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14By putting in the hours, the boat owners should
0:46:14 > 0:46:18keep their Seabirds sailing for another 100 years.
0:46:18 > 0:46:21That's been in about three quarters of an hour.
0:46:21 > 0:46:23You've gotta be quick before it goes cold.
0:46:31 > 0:46:33- Got it.- Righto.
0:46:36 > 0:46:37- CLICK! - Ooh!
0:46:37 > 0:46:39Trying to knock me out!
0:46:39 > 0:46:44If you can save a portion of an old boat that's been wrecked,
0:46:44 > 0:46:48you can rebuild that boat and carry on with its name and its number.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52By rights, I should just set fire to this, but...
0:46:52 > 0:46:53I just don't want to do that.
0:46:53 > 0:46:56I don't want to be the person that destroyed this boat,
0:46:56 > 0:47:00you know, with its character, but it's coming along now.
0:47:00 > 0:47:04Next season, it should be... it should be, yeah, in the water.
0:47:04 > 0:47:05DRILLING
0:47:05 > 0:47:07Just mark it with your pencil for me.
0:47:07 > 0:47:09OK, we'll have to take you out to mark it.
0:47:09 > 0:47:11HAMMERING
0:47:11 > 0:47:15Bit by bit, Alan marks it with a pencil and I'll take a little
0:47:15 > 0:47:19bit off here, and a little bit off there, until we get it right, yeah.
0:47:19 > 0:47:23We're all in our 70s, so...
0:47:23 > 0:47:26We're a good mates and we get on with each other.
0:47:26 > 0:47:29- There's the odd argument, Al, isn't there?- What?
0:47:29 > 0:47:32- We have the odd argument... - Oh, yeah.- ..and a discussion.
0:47:32 > 0:47:35It's all sorted out at the tea break, though.
0:47:39 > 0:47:41After a winter in the workshop,
0:47:41 > 0:47:44the boats are ready to take to the river for the annual regatta.
0:47:50 > 0:47:55Seeing the finished boat on the blocks ready to be launched.
0:47:55 > 0:47:57The beginning of the season.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00Gleaming, spotless, everything that can be done has been done.
0:48:11 > 0:48:13How lucky I am to live here.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16Smashing place, right in the middle of a river.
0:48:17 > 0:48:18Right in the middle of the country.
0:48:18 > 0:48:21You can go anywhere from here, can't you? North, south, east.
0:48:21 > 0:48:25The Mersey's an old friend to every club member.
0:48:25 > 0:48:28It's part of John Clarke's family history.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33I've lived here since I was four.
0:48:33 > 0:48:37My family's lived here for close on 450 years now.
0:48:37 > 0:48:41We're a nation of people that messed around with boats
0:48:41 > 0:48:44since the earliest times. The joy of just going out there
0:48:44 > 0:48:47and being able to go out and sail is tremendous.
0:48:56 > 0:48:58A pleasure.
0:48:58 > 0:49:03And also, it gets you away from everyday life.
0:49:03 > 0:49:08And you can leave it - when you get on your boat and you go sailing,
0:49:08 > 0:49:10you can forget about that.
0:49:10 > 0:49:14You go out there and you're with a gang of your mates and you're having
0:49:14 > 0:49:18a ball, really enjoying yourselves, but you're using virtually every
0:49:18 > 0:49:22muscle in your body - your arms, your stomach, your back, legs -
0:49:22 > 0:49:25They still think they're 20.
0:49:25 > 0:49:28They may not be, but they still think they are.
0:49:30 > 0:49:34It's the excitement and the thrill of it.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37It can be fantastic one day
0:49:37 > 0:49:39and you can be battling with the weather the next.
0:49:39 > 0:49:41Then you come ashore absolutely shattered
0:49:41 > 0:49:45- and all you want is a pint! - HE LAUGHS
0:49:46 > 0:49:50A lot of the lads here have spent their lives looking after boats
0:49:50 > 0:49:56and just, eventually, they get handed on to someone else
0:49:56 > 0:50:00and handed on to someone else and we hope that they'll go on for ever.
0:50:00 > 0:50:02It's like a vintage car.
0:50:02 > 0:50:04It'll carry on as long as someone looks after it.
0:50:16 > 0:50:18Liverpool was the home port
0:50:18 > 0:50:22for one of the world's most famous shipping lines - Cunard.
0:50:22 > 0:50:27Now the city and its river are to host a huge birthday celebration.
0:50:30 > 0:50:34Dancing on water in Liverpool - three Cunard liners will meet on
0:50:34 > 0:50:39the River Mersey to mark the 175th anniversary of the shipping line.
0:50:39 > 0:50:41More than a million people are expected to line
0:50:41 > 0:50:45the banks of the Mersey today to see three Queens dance -
0:50:45 > 0:50:47the Queen Mary 2, the Queen Elizabeth
0:50:47 > 0:50:52and the Queen Victoria will perform a spectacular river dance here
0:50:52 > 0:50:55in salute to the city of Liverpool.
0:50:56 > 0:50:58At Liverpool's cruise terminal,
0:50:58 > 0:51:01manager Angie Redhead has had a sleepless night.
0:51:03 > 0:51:05Right, I need to go and get my radios.
0:51:05 > 0:51:09- After four years of planning... - Oh, look, with the Union Jack!
0:51:09 > 0:51:14..Liverpool is staging one of the city's biggest ever maritime events.
0:51:14 > 0:51:17'The people of Liverpool turn out to major events.
0:51:17 > 0:51:19'They are so supportive. They love them.
0:51:19 > 0:51:21'The day of the three Queens -
0:51:21 > 0:51:25'that was just sending a message to the world, "Look, we're here." '
0:51:25 > 0:51:28Go out, go down and see the Queen Mary 2 off, actually.
0:51:28 > 0:51:30'This was the Port of Liverpool.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32'We were once the greatest in the world.
0:51:32 > 0:51:36'We're showing the world we're still brilliant now.'
0:51:36 > 0:51:39- You going down onto the pontoons? - Yeah.- See you in a little while.
0:51:39 > 0:51:42The celebration has attracted the world's press,
0:51:42 > 0:51:46and reporters have asked Angie to explain what's going to happen.
0:51:46 > 0:51:49- Are they here?- Just up there.
0:51:51 > 0:51:53My first thoughts, when I got an e-mail that said,
0:51:53 > 0:51:56"Can we get three Queens in the river at the same time?"
0:51:56 > 0:51:58was just, "We have to say yes!
0:51:58 > 0:52:02"This has to happen in Cunard's spiritual home of Liverpool."
0:52:05 > 0:52:08The Queen Mary has been alongside overnight.
0:52:08 > 0:52:10Now she's casting off to meet her sisters
0:52:10 > 0:52:13and Angie's team have planned their own send-off.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15Dead exciting, isn't it?
0:52:15 > 0:52:19- MUSIC PLAYS - Ange, get the giant hands!
0:52:19 > 0:52:21No expense spared(!)
0:52:28 > 0:52:30Arrival hand on!
0:52:30 > 0:52:32LAUGHTER
0:52:32 > 0:52:36This is no word of a lie - the very reason I bought these hands
0:52:36 > 0:52:41is cos I seen the hands out of Queen Mary 2 the last time she came.
0:52:41 > 0:52:44The crowds packing the waterfront have a long wait
0:52:44 > 0:52:46before the three Queens arrive,
0:52:46 > 0:52:51but Angie's masterminded a quayside concert to keep them entertained.
0:52:51 > 0:52:53You can't move up there. You can't move.
0:52:53 > 0:52:56- It's standing room only already. - Yes?- Yeah.
0:52:56 > 0:52:59I've never seen anything like it.
0:52:59 > 0:53:03We'll get people waving their flags, singing along, feeling proud.
0:53:03 > 0:53:06Best of British, all that good stuff!
0:53:06 > 0:53:07FANFARE PLAYS
0:53:18 > 0:53:22I don't think there's enough of this - flag-waving, civic pride.
0:53:22 > 0:53:26BRASS BAND MUSIC: Drunken Sailor
0:53:28 > 0:53:30This is what we do, isn't it?
0:53:30 > 0:53:32This is, like, what the Brits excel at!
0:53:32 > 0:53:34APPLAUSE
0:53:36 > 0:53:38- VOICE ON RADIO:- 'Yeah, go ahead.'
0:53:38 > 0:53:43'The Cunard will be coming up in the next five minutes.
0:53:43 > 0:53:45RADIO COMMS CONTINUE, VOICES FADE
0:53:45 > 0:53:46BRASS BAND MUSIC: I Am Sailing
0:53:46 > 0:53:51And there's one piece of music that's here by special request.
0:53:51 > 0:53:56The first track that was going in this concert was
0:53:56 > 0:54:00a military band playing I Am Sailing with nothing else,
0:54:00 > 0:54:03- just that... - SHE IMITATES DRUMMING
0:54:03 > 0:54:06It's just a...goose bump moment, goose bump moment.
0:54:06 > 0:54:10SONG CONTINUES, SOME PEOPLE SING ALONG
0:54:10 > 0:54:12I felt overwhelmed, because that, to me,
0:54:12 > 0:54:14when I saw that military band playing, I thought,
0:54:14 > 0:54:17"God, now it really is happening! This is really happening!"
0:54:17 > 0:54:22When I hear I Am Sailing, those ships are sailing any minute now!
0:54:37 > 0:54:39SONG ENDS, APPLAUSE
0:54:44 > 0:54:49By now, everyone's trying to get their first glimpse of the Queens -
0:54:49 > 0:54:52Mary, Elizabeth and Victoria -
0:54:52 > 0:54:54as they make their slow progress up the Mersey.
0:54:56 > 0:55:00Commodore Ron Warwick has earned one of the best views in the house.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03He served with Cunard for over 30 years,
0:55:03 > 0:55:06ending up as Captain of the Queen Mary 2.
0:55:07 > 0:55:12A lot of people from Liverpool were brought up in a seafaring community
0:55:12 > 0:55:14and they just love ships up here.
0:55:19 > 0:55:21You know, I don't think there's anywhere else in the world
0:55:21 > 0:55:25where you'll get as many people coming out to look at ships,
0:55:25 > 0:55:27as they do here in Liverpool.
0:55:29 > 0:55:32This is a sentimental journey for Ron.
0:55:32 > 0:55:36His father commanded the Queen Mary's predecessor, the QE2.
0:55:38 > 0:55:41Now, that very old building just coming into view now is
0:55:41 > 0:55:46where my father was born in 1912. I've got to get a picture of it.
0:55:48 > 0:55:54But very sadly, er, he died before he knew I was going to be Captain
0:55:54 > 0:56:00of the Queen Mary 2, but I think he would've been very proud
0:56:00 > 0:56:03and I'm sure he would've loved to have been here to see
0:56:03 > 0:56:05these three magnificent ships.
0:56:15 > 0:56:17Oh, my Lord!
0:56:17 > 0:56:20Across the river, Angie has rushed down from the concert
0:56:20 > 0:56:23just in time to catch the day's big finale.
0:56:23 > 0:56:26It's like it's not real!
0:56:26 > 0:56:28Oh, my Lord! Jenna, look!
0:56:28 > 0:56:30Whoa!
0:56:30 > 0:56:32It's like... It's like it's not real.
0:56:32 > 0:56:36When you've seen something in your mind so many times,
0:56:36 > 0:56:39and you've looked at plans and schematics,
0:56:39 > 0:56:43but it's not like seeing this in, er, in real life.
0:56:43 > 0:56:47It's just unbelievable! It's so...
0:56:47 > 0:56:49- LOUD GUNFIRE - Ooh! Jesus!
0:56:56 > 0:57:00This is the mother of all photo opportunities.
0:57:00 > 0:57:04Marine royalty performing a synchronised ballet.
0:57:08 > 0:57:11How will I go back to a normal Monday after this?
0:57:11 > 0:57:15- It's better than I actually imagined it would be.- Imagined, yeah.
0:57:34 > 0:57:36AIRCRAFT ROAR
0:57:42 > 0:57:44Perfect!
0:57:44 > 0:57:45Perfect!
0:57:45 > 0:57:50I love it when a plan comes together! That was amazing!
0:57:50 > 0:57:53- Kate, what do you think? Can you take it in?- I know.
0:57:53 > 0:57:54I can't quite take it in.
0:57:54 > 0:57:56It just seems surreal.
0:58:03 > 0:58:07I can still get a lump in my throat when I speak about that day.
0:58:07 > 0:58:09The river and the people of Liverpool -
0:58:09 > 0:58:10they are husband and wife.
0:58:10 > 0:58:18And so, really, this was kind of just that perfect combination
0:58:18 > 0:58:21of people and the river and ships
0:58:21 > 0:58:25and the hundreds and hundreds of years of us being a great port.