Whitehead man fulfils ambition

Peter Purdy from Quay Lane began working for Esso as a deck cadet in navigation.

From an early age the 17-year-old had always wanted to be a sailor.

His grandfather and all of his great uncles had been sailors, and had actually tried to dissuade him from going to sea. But the former Whitehead Primary School and Belfast High School pupil had his heart set on going to sea.

At the age of 9 he contacted a number of tanker companies including Shell, BP and Esso, as well as the Royal Navy to find out what their entry requirements were.

He then set about achieving his aim.

He spent hours every week reading about ships to learn as much as he could.