0:00:02 > 0:00:03SEAGULLS CRY
0:00:06 > 0:00:10On the south coast of Britain lies a city within a city
0:00:10 > 0:00:13that's fighting to keep the nation afloat.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16The port of Southampton is a gateway to the world.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20- It's the cruise capital of the UK. - Hi. Welcome on board.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25- HE SHOUTS - Seafarers from across the globe pass through here every day.
0:00:25 > 0:00:26HE LAUGHS
0:00:26 > 0:00:30In tough economic times, the port is battling for its share of handling cargo.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34This is how we and the shipping line make our money.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Ready for the Christmas Market. Batteries not included.
0:00:37 > 0:00:42We are looking for Rolls-Royces, which are hidden amongst potentially 100 Bentleys.
0:00:42 > 0:00:48Commercial ships and weekend sailors wrestle for space in crowded sea lanes.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53Turn round! Go that way! It's not rocket science! A big ship's turning!
0:00:53 > 0:00:58Passengers, ships and cargo shaping the lives of the people
0:00:58 > 0:01:02that run one of the busiest ports in the world.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05This is Sea City.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12- In this episode. - SIREN WAILS
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- God! - Keeping the sea lanes clear.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18A hairy day for marine officer John Hyland.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21It just gives me heart palpitations. HE LAUGHS
0:01:22 > 0:01:26How cruise change-over day keeps hotel manager Odd in trim.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30I'm not going to use any elevators. And that's what keeps me fit.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34And financial advice for owners of leisure boats with mechanical problems.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38Take a cold shower while tearing up £50 notes.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48The hazards are there. Hold on tight and just take it nice and slowly.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53And if we're not happy or the cox in the pilot boat's not happy, we don't go up the ladder.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Every week dozens of ships pass through the port of Southampton.
0:01:58 > 0:02:04The approach to the port is one of the trickiest stretches of water in Britain to navigate.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Gary, this might take a little while, yeah?
0:02:06 > 0:02:11Pilots Rory Jackson and Chris Upton are travelling out to sea to meet a large container ship.
0:02:11 > 0:02:17Their skills in ship handling and crucial local knowledge will help guide her into port.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21You're climbing up a ladder, once you're committed to that you're holding on.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25If the pilot boat was to foul the ladder as it moves about because it was too rough,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28there is a chance that something could go wrong.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Good afternoon.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Can we have everything off the pilot boat so we can bring the ladder in, yeah?
0:02:34 > 0:02:38The Christophe Colomb is the size of four football pitches.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42It needs two pilots instead of the usual one to handle it safely.
0:02:42 > 0:02:48- OK. Thanks.- The ship carries millions of pounds worth of cargo in over 13,000 containers.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51It's one of the largest that the port handles.
0:02:51 > 0:02:52VTS, Christophe Colomb.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55It'll be approximately two hours...
0:02:55 > 0:03:00On the bridge, Rory's explaining the route into the port to the ship's French captain or master.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04There'll probably be some sailing boats to avoid.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- Use the whistle.- There'll be a patrol boat?- Yes, we'll have a patrol boat.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11We cannot know every port in the world,
0:03:11 > 0:03:16so that's why we take pilots because they know exactly what to do.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18The master knows exactly how his ship may handle,
0:03:18 > 0:03:22the pilot knows in detail the conditions in the harbour,
0:03:22 > 0:03:27and the combination of the two is aiming to get the ship safely from A to B.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29Is it going to be raining at home?
0:03:29 > 0:03:32A good pilot is a quiet pilot, first of all.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35The British pilots are always noisy but they are very good.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40We've just got to make a turn into the channel just over here.
0:03:40 > 0:03:45Any big ship that approaches Southampton has to stick to a narrow channel to stop it going aground.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50With a large sandbank in the Solent and the Isle of Wight to the south,
0:03:50 > 0:03:55the pilot has to make two critical turns to keep the ship on course.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58If we turn too early, we're going to come to grief.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01If we turn too late, we're not going to make the turn.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03So we have to adjust the wheel-over depending on the tide.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05So you need a detailed knowledge of the tide.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09- Port five.- Port five. - Just going around a corner here.
0:04:09 > 0:04:17The port's ship traffic control back at Southampton or VTS help give the pilots information for the turn.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22CMA, CJ, Christophe Colomb, bound transit, slightly to the left of the reference line.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27- Thank you. Two cables. Midship. - Midship.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- OK, hard to starboard. - Hard to starboard.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32VTS, Christophe Colomb here. On our way round, thanks.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34- On the turn. - Roger.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Making such a complicated manoeuvre in a big ship
0:04:37 > 0:04:42risks running over small boats that also use this stretch of water.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46The guys in the yachts or boats see you going along and think, "It's OK, he's going that way."
0:04:46 > 0:04:50And then suddenly you start turning. If you run over a yacht, that's serious.
0:04:50 > 0:04:56Any hazards on the water are dealt with by the port's marine officers.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58John Hyland is on patrol today.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00There's a lot of small boats
0:05:00 > 0:05:03and they all conflict with the commercial traffic.
0:05:03 > 0:05:09And we're trying to separate the commercial traffic from the leisure traffic.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11SIREN WAILS
0:05:11 > 0:05:15A couple of yachts over here are actually crossing his track.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Things can happen very quickly and it can be very serious.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22You have got to be alert. You have to have a swivel head, looking everywhere.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25If he's going to slow down and stop, he might get in the way.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30Sometimes yachts will come right up behind you and go between you and the ship.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33You think, "What's he doing then?!"
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- Are you OK? - Yeah. Just fishing.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39I didn't see any rods. SHIP'S HOOTER BLARES
0:05:39 > 0:05:42A big oil tanker is heading for the main sea lanes.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47John's trying to keep the navigation channel clear.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51It is not easy for anyone to see what the ship is doing in that area,
0:05:51 > 0:05:55because it changes course in not a normal pattern.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59The ship's right there. He's doing 11.5 knots, so...
0:05:59 > 0:06:01RADIO CRACKLES
0:06:01 > 0:06:05But John's spotted a yacht heading right across the tanker's course!
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Really, I'm not sure about this guy.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12He is actually turning now.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18The pilot on the ship is worried about the yacht too and wants John to deal with him.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Yeah, OK, I'll send him back to the west.
0:06:26 > 0:06:27SIREN
0:06:27 > 0:06:31But the yacht is ploughing on towards the ship, despite John's warning sirens.
0:06:35 > 0:06:41Turn round! Go that way. No! Go that way!
0:06:41 > 0:06:46- The yacht and the ship are seconds apart from colliding.- Go that way!
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Go that way!
0:06:52 > 0:06:56Even for someone as experienced as John, that was a close call.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Which part of that "go that way" does he not understand?!
0:06:59 > 0:07:03I went up to him, I said, "Turn round, go the other way!"
0:07:03 > 0:07:07And he went right under my stern and carried on!
0:07:07 > 0:07:10It's absolutely unbelievable!
0:07:10 > 0:07:13But this sort of thing happens all the blooming time!
0:07:13 > 0:07:15And you think, "Is it me or what?!"
0:07:15 > 0:07:21I can't tow him out of the way. It'll just run over him and I'd pick up the bits at the back.
0:07:21 > 0:07:22SHIP'S HOOTER BLARES
0:07:22 > 0:07:26That's what I don't like. It just gives me heart palpitations.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29HE LAUGHS But it happens!
0:07:29 > 0:07:33Back on the giant container ship Christophe Colomb,
0:07:33 > 0:07:39pilots Chris and Rory have now reached the final stages of berthing her in port.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- 3-0-9, please. - 3-0-9.
0:07:42 > 0:07:48- Midships.- But first, they have to swing all 364 metres of her round,
0:07:48 > 0:07:51ready to discharge her cargo at the terminal.
0:07:54 > 0:07:55SEAGULLS CRY
0:08:03 > 0:08:07Southampton is the busiest cruise port in the UK.
0:08:07 > 0:08:13Every week during the summer, thousands of passengers return or set off on a holiday afloat.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18All cruise ships have just a few hours on the quay to get ready for their next voyage
0:08:18 > 0:08:21after disembarking the last set of passengers.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24It's known as a turnaround.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29When I step onboard here at the beginning of my contract,
0:08:29 > 0:08:33I told myself I'm not going to use elevators and that's what keeps me fit.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38Odd Kvamme is the hotel manager for the Balmoral.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41Turnaround day is usually the busiest time of a cruise for him.
0:08:41 > 0:08:48- It's 10.55am.- We arrived on schedule at 6.30 this morning.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52That's essential to have a successful turn-around.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57And sometimes, due to weather conditions or it could be other reasons,
0:08:57 > 0:09:01if you are delayed, then turnarounds are really challenging.
0:09:01 > 0:09:02- Hello! - Hello, sir.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06It's the time when you can have a proper look at the cabins as well.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08We have a whole team of carpenters,
0:09:08 > 0:09:12so they are ready to do any immediate maintenance.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14- How are we doing? - Hello.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Good? Fantastic.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25Nice new potatoes. Beautiful. Cannot get fresher. Fantastic!
0:09:25 > 0:09:27They are nice.
0:09:27 > 0:09:33Chefs Dirk Helsig and Sara Sipek are organising the supplies for the cruise.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36If you run out it's not like you can just go to a supermarket and pick it up.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40Especially when you're at sea, if you don't have it, you have to change the whole menu.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44We have 1,400 people on board. 20 tonnes of meat and fish.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47Fruit and vegetables probably 30 tonnes.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51Eggs, we need around 23,000.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55Oh. Oh. We have to check the melon.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58The biggest nightmare for me is the rough seas,
0:09:58 > 0:10:01when everything falls over and all the plates fall down
0:10:01 > 0:10:04and we have to make everything again.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09I'm from a small village in Norway.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Only 700 living there, so we all know each other.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17We were there only three days ago with the ship.
0:10:17 > 0:10:22It's funny, I'm from a small village with 700 people living
0:10:22 > 0:10:26and we have twice that amount of guests on board.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30If you just head to the forward staircase. We're on deck 6.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33I love it. I love it.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37You are never bored. From morning to evening, you are busy.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40It's two lives - you have one here busy working
0:10:40 > 0:10:44and when you come home, you live a totally different life.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47After a career as a land-based chef in Europe,
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Dirk wanted a change of direction.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53I was a bit bored, so I asked for a new job.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56He said, "Oil platform or oil rig,
0:10:56 > 0:10:58"Saudi Arabia or ship."
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Ship came first so I said, "OK."
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- The life is just...- It's a great life.- It's a great life.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07What I like is you just get dressed and go up two decks and you're at work already.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- You don't have to travel or commute, you know. - SHE LAUGHS
0:11:10 > 0:11:15The other good part is you go in and eat fresh vegetables, fruits. Mmm.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17RADIO CRACKLES
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- Hello. Welcome. - Good afternoon.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23Would you like to head over to the check-in desk, please?
0:11:23 > 0:11:28In the terminal new passengers are checking in for their cruise to the Baltic.
0:11:28 > 0:11:29Separate, please.
0:11:29 > 0:11:34But John Lucas is going to get more than he bargained for when he gets onboard the ship.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39You'll be pleased to know we are now ready to commence with embarkation of the Balmoral.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51On a busy day, hundreds of pleasure boats cruise around the Solent.
0:11:51 > 0:11:57So it's no surprise some of them find themselves in trouble.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Riding to the rescue is Jonathan Parker.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03People do get into trouble when they break down.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08They'll be floating around, potentially once they drift closer to rocks, they can get into danger.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11We need to get to people as quick as possible.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15If it's fixable, then Jonathan can probably fix it.
0:12:15 > 0:12:21He works for an emergency breakdown company, like roadside assistance but on the water.
0:12:21 > 0:12:28There's a large 50-foot motorboat that's anchored off Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.
0:12:28 > 0:12:34He's stayed there overnight, but he can't get his engine going.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Kevin and Lisa Bowden have spent the last three years renovating their boat
0:12:38 > 0:12:42only to find themselves stranded on their maiden voyage.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Just stopped to have breakfast, came up and it's just click, click.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50- But it still starts. - So you've just been stopped for a short amount of time.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52- Yes. - It's not as if...
0:12:52 > 0:12:58OK. Can I get you to attempt to start that starboard engine, the one that is playing up?
0:12:58 > 0:13:00BELL RINGS
0:13:00 > 0:13:02OK.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- Bugger all, as they say. - HE LAUGHS
0:13:05 > 0:13:09The idea was we were going to have a trip round the island.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13And we still might get it. If we get started in the next hour, we can still make it round the island.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16OK, do it again. OK. BELL RINGS
0:13:16 > 0:13:18OK!
0:13:18 > 0:13:22It looks like the starter motor's jammed.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Just going to grab some spanners and we should be able to fix it.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29This is really the first big trip since we've considered it finished.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32We hope this is going to be one of many.
0:13:34 > 0:13:35MOTOR WHIRS
0:13:35 > 0:13:40It turns out that the problem is all down to a small electrical connector.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43All it needs is a quick rub down.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48You think you know what the problem is and sometimes you're right and sometimes you're completely off base.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53It's like a car, you know, something will go wrong at some point.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Hopefully, it's only minor.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57- Ready? - Yeah.
0:13:57 > 0:13:58BELL RINGS
0:13:58 > 0:14:00ENGINE TICKS OVER
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- Good lad. - Yes!
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Yippee-doodle-diddle-di-dumb!
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- That's fantastic! - LISA LAUGHS
0:14:08 > 0:14:12With the engine fixed, Kevin and Lisa are able to continue their trip around the island.
0:14:12 > 0:14:18It's very rewarding being able to fix it because you know they're happy.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23Other days you can't fix anything and you feel like you're the worst mechanic in the world.
0:14:26 > 0:14:32Another call sends Jonathan heading up the coast to help the Impulse, a cruiser with a dodgy gearbox.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Greg Connell is the unlucky owner.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38We were just manoeuvring into our berth over there.
0:14:38 > 0:14:43We'd just lined up and tried to go forward and no forward propulsion.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47I could have ended up hitting any of those boats.
0:14:49 > 0:14:54I think what's happening, when you put it in reverse, it's kicking up.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56See that oil coming out?
0:14:56 > 0:15:00The cable seems to have come adrift or broken actually in the gearbox.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03The problem is the gearbox is underwater.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06It's a night at the marina for the Impulse.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09The boat needs to be hauled out of the water to be fixed.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11And it's not going to be cheap.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14The best advice I was ever given before buying a boat
0:15:14 > 0:15:20was, "Go into a cold house, take a cold shower, while tearing up £50 notes.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24"And if you enjoy doing that, you'll enjoy boat ownership."
0:15:24 > 0:15:27OK, stop pushing it forward. That's fine.
0:15:27 > 0:15:35We've not been able to fix it, but we've been able to reassure him that he's fine to get back on one engine.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38And we've found what the problem is so he knows what he's dealing with.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42So you get some satisfaction even out of not fixing jobs sometimes.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51SEAGULLS CRY
0:15:57 > 0:16:04Pilots who guide large ships safely into port work 24 hours a day.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Shawn O'Toole is starting his shift.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12First job, to plan the day ahead.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17We don't make it all up, there's facts and figures. I have my tide tables here for the year.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19So that's my essential piece of kit.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23I mustn't forget the glasses, my most important things these days, I'm afraid to say.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Complacency is the most dangerous enemy.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30So if you think it's a small ship it's going to be easy, that's where it all goes wrong. Nice to see you.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Nice to meet you. Thank you very much. How are we doing, captain?
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- We're sailing in 30 minutes. - No problems at all.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38The only predictable thing about ships is they're unpredictable.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41And if you work on that basis, you'll never be disappointed.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49Today, Shawn has a car carrier to take out from port.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51Breakaway next few minutes from 201.
0:16:51 > 0:16:56Shawn went to sea at 16 as a cadet for the oil company BP.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58Thank you.
0:16:58 > 0:16:59RADIO CRACKLES
0:17:01 > 0:17:03- Dead slow ahead. - Dead slow ahead.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- OK. And steer 1-0-0, please. - 1-0-0.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13I know the sort of ship I'm on and I know where the wind is and I know where I want to be.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16You get a feel for it.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18- Midships. - Midships!
0:17:19 > 0:17:20- Port five. - Port five.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24The tide's coming in so if we just go a little wide to keep clear of the buoy.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27It takes a long time to be comfortable with it.
0:17:27 > 0:17:34And you still have a wet and windy blowy night, you're not human if you're not a bit nervous.
0:17:34 > 0:17:39You just wouldn't be human. We can increase speed whenever you're ready.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43But where mistakes at sea may cost a great deal of money and even lives,
0:17:43 > 0:17:48there are safer places to get the hang of how large ships behave.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54- Slow ahead. - Slow ahead.
0:17:54 > 0:17:59Pilots come from all over the world to train at Warsash's Maritime Academy's Ship Handling Centre.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02just up the road from the port.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06Once you get across that mental thing that it is a model but doesn't act like a model,
0:18:06 > 0:18:10it acts like a ship so treat it like a ship, it responds then as you would expect it to.
0:18:10 > 0:18:17Shawn and retired pilot Nigel Allen are both associate lecturers at Timsbury Lakes.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21The models look like toys but they behave exactly like the real thing.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- Slow astern. - Slow astern.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25Steer right on his bow.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29Most of what goes wrong here, it's the right place to do it,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32because there's no pollution, fire, loss of life, damage,
0:18:32 > 0:18:34but there's a learning experience.
0:18:34 > 0:18:40There's a lump in the bank. I've been there once or twice but don't tell anyone else here, OK?
0:18:40 > 0:18:44But we'll keep an eye on that lump and see how it chips away over the years.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48I'm sure I'm not the first person and I won't be the last person.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Just easy now. Just easy.
0:18:51 > 0:18:56These models are fantastic. They handle just like our own ships.
0:18:56 > 0:19:02- Midship.- It gives you a chance to experiment and see what will happen,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05but in real life the consequences would be severe.
0:19:05 > 0:19:11Even at slow speeds, the effects of large ships passing close to each other are clear.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Starboard.
0:19:13 > 0:19:18If these ships had collided in the real world, it could have cost money and lives.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Midships! Ah, yeah!
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- Midships. - Midships.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31The lessons you learn on the models, as a ship handler
0:19:31 > 0:19:34you keep for use the rest of your career, no two ways about it.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38Puts it all into perspective, the mechanics of it all,
0:19:38 > 0:19:42what is happening, where the forces are, where the forces are changing.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45It doesn't teach you to be a pilot overnight,
0:19:45 > 0:19:49but it gives you the basics to keep on going for the rest of your career.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10Back at the cruise terminal, John and Sue Lucas have checked in for a trip to the Baltics.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12It's Sue's birthday treat for him,
0:20:12 > 0:20:16but his family have another surprise up their sleeves.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19My dad's 60 and we're coming on a surprise cruise, basically.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Me and my other half and their best friends are here.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25We want to get on now so he can come on and be surprised.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29It's been planned since May last year.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32He thinks that we're all at work and his friends are at home.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36He just thinks he's going on a cruise to celebrate his birthday with my mum.
0:20:36 > 0:20:37Hello.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Sue's anxious that John doesn't rumble
0:20:40 > 0:20:45that family and friends are onboard and will join them for the two-week cruise.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50It's our first cruise to the Baltic, so we are looking forward to seeing the Scandinavian countries.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- Hello. - Cabin number?
0:20:53 > 0:20:55- 4137. - 4137. That side.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- Thank you. - Thank you.
0:20:58 > 0:21:03Sue is carefully trying to nudge John towards the surprise without giving the game away.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06Let's got to the front of the ship.
0:21:06 > 0:21:12In her cabin, daughter Helen is beside herself with nerves after months of planning.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Really hard. We're at breaking point... Well, I'm at breaking point.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20- It's a long ship. - It is, isn't it.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Sue seems to be disorientated. Her ship's compass is a bit awry.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28- Got to go up? - Up to Deck 7, yeah.
0:21:28 > 0:21:35Daughter Helen, fiance Steven and best friends Pat and Mike are on their way to spring the surprise.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39We're going to the front of the ship to the observatory deck and hopefully that's where they'll be.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42But a lack of direction seems to run in the family.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Where are they going? It's this way.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48No?
0:21:48 > 0:21:51Sue's finally got John to the rendezvous.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56She takes the opportunity for a little something to...settle the nerves.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Aren't you all nervous?
0:21:58 > 0:22:00- Yeah! - SHE LAUGHS
0:22:03 > 0:22:05The moment finally arrives.
0:22:05 > 0:22:06LAUGHTER
0:22:07 > 0:22:12- Hi! - Happy birthday! Hello!
0:22:12 > 0:22:15LAUGHTER
0:22:17 > 0:22:22- I'm gobsmacked!- If you knew how many secret phone calls we have had!
0:22:22 > 0:22:26I was told to book a holiday and that's all I knew,
0:22:26 > 0:22:30and then a month ago I was told, "You're going on a cruise and this is where you're going."
0:22:30 > 0:22:31So, superb.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34But then I didn't expect...this. LAUGHTER
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- You didn't, did you? - At all.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- So you going to have a drink, then? - LAUGHTER
0:22:41 > 0:22:43SEAGULLS CRY
0:22:43 > 0:22:48With celebrations under way the Balmoral heads safely out of port.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Coming into the docks and nearing the end of its journey
0:22:51 > 0:22:55is the container ship Christophe Colomb.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59I would have thought this will go round quite quick.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03But the ship's so high that the wind can easily blow it off course.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07You get so used to working with a south-westerly wind on the portside,
0:23:07 > 0:23:11but today it's actually on the starboard side, so you have to rethink everything a little bit.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15- Thank you.- Rory and Chris are bringing the ship in for berthing.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Tugs are needed to keep it in position.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23Captain Pierre Cort has to co-ordinate ropes and lines with his crew on the deck.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27So where we're going, Captain, see the four white cranes up in the air?
0:23:27 > 0:23:32Just about there. Hard to starboard.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37With a ship the size of four football pitches, there's very little room for manoeuvre.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Damage to the ship or the quay would cost thousands of pounds.
0:23:41 > 0:23:46- Steady.- The pilots go outside to the bridge wing for a clearer view of the berth.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49It's certainly not to enjoy the weather.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53So we've got about a ship's length to come astern. We'll stop with the wheelhouse.
0:23:53 > 0:23:59It needs careful co-ordination of ship's engines, lines and tugs
0:23:59 > 0:24:03to park a ship, which is over 350 metres long.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05RADIO CRACKLES Position's good.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Nothing astern, Captain.
0:24:08 > 0:24:15Nearly six hours since the pilots boarded, the ship is finally and safely on the berth.
0:24:15 > 0:24:21- Thank you very much indeed. - You're welcome. Thank you.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26HOOTER BLARES
0:24:26 > 0:24:29Cowes Week is one of the highlights of the sailing calendar.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33Hundreds of yachts take part in dozens of races.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35- It's serious competition. - ..two, one...
0:24:35 > 0:24:36CANNON FIRES
0:24:36 > 0:24:42It's a busy time for marine patrol officer John Hyland.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45This is when the rule book tends to get to put aside.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47There's all rules for this area,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50but this week everyone ignores them, you know.
0:24:50 > 0:24:51SIREN WAILS
0:24:51 > 0:24:55Commercial traffic has to be kept separate from racing yachts
0:24:55 > 0:24:57as collisions can be fatal.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00You can see some of them are going to get across his bow OK.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02You've got one, two, three OK.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04The guy with the sail will be a problem.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06HORN BLARES
0:25:06 > 0:25:09They have trouble turning, they don't like turning.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11My God!
0:25:11 > 0:25:13HE SIGHS
0:25:13 > 0:25:16And he doesn't like turning either.
0:25:16 > 0:25:21The ship behind us is quite manoeuvrable, so he can steer round this situation,
0:25:21 > 0:25:23it's not so bad.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27If that was a container ship, we'd have all kinds of problems.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31And they all think you're the bad guy,
0:25:31 > 0:25:34but we're only trying to make sure there's no collisions that's all.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37We're not out to stop their fun.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42On a busy day it can be quite hairy, we have to be very careful about our timings of ships.
0:25:42 > 0:25:49Barry Saddler is a Southampton pilot helping the Yacht Club to run the races.
0:25:49 > 0:25:50We need to see if we can track this boat down.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53We can ask the race committee to put back the starts,
0:25:53 > 0:25:58because we're not just getting the yachts out of the way of the ships,
0:25:58 > 0:26:01we're timing the ships so they don't conflict with the yachts as well.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05But in 2011, the worst happened.
0:26:05 > 0:26:10Two people were injured when a yacht sailed too close to a tanker during a race.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14There's been a collision at sea! Look at the front of that ship!
0:26:14 > 0:26:20Unfortunately, his mast got caught in the anchor and two of his crew were injured as the rigging came down.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24If you look at where the ships are operating against the yachts,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26it's almost as if there are near misses every few seconds,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29because they're passing within metres of each other.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32The spinnaker is on the front of that orange ship!
0:26:32 > 0:26:37This is my support RIB here. I'm just going to liaise with him.
0:26:37 > 0:26:43This year, to help avoid another crash, John has the help of a fast-response crew
0:26:43 > 0:26:45provided by the race organisers.
0:26:45 > 0:26:46RADIO CRACKLES
0:26:46 > 0:26:53The RIB is called into action when a line of racing yachts strays into the path of a tanker leaving port.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57So everything else now has got to stop.
0:26:57 > 0:27:04So these two blue guys are not going to be happy at all about that cos they're going to miss out on a place.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08So hopefully this RIB here is going to tell them to turn.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10If he is, then he's done a good job.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Come on, turn 'em.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Yeah, excellent.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19And the other one.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Well done, mate. Excellent.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28The new RIBs have been a success.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30A potential crash has been avoided.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33A big improvement on last year.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36This is working out all right. I like this. I like the RIB idea.
0:27:36 > 0:27:43So, a quiet Cowes Week, but the risk is always there
0:27:43 > 0:27:47and it's the port's marine staff who help keep these busy waters safe.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50You can never know what's going to happen. It's always an adventure.
0:27:50 > 0:27:57You never know and you can never say it's exactly the same, cos it isn't.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12Next time on Sea City.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- Rock'n'roll!- At the container terminal, C Team's cranes
0:28:15 > 0:28:19swing into action for a record-breaking attempt.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22He looks like he's under a bit of pressure up there, don't he?
0:28:22 > 0:28:26- Fine dining, Southampton style. - It smells like chicken.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30And how the wheels come off for stolen car smugglers.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33If they all come out like that, I'll be very happy.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd