Off course: a sideways look at life at sea

About Off course: a sideways look at life at sea

Can you name three famous seafarers? Or do you know where your nearest port is? Don't worry if you're struggling with the answers - you're not alone! Off course explores why the maritime sector remains such a mystery to many of us when it plays such an important role in all our lives. Join host Robert Murtagh as he hears inspirational stories from across the industry - from captains on deck, to campaigners on land and those captured by pirates.

Publisher

Nautilus International

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Oct 2022

Latest episode

19 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

23 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Mar 2026

   Off course (S4 E6) Emily Penn founder of eXXpedition, Skipper and ocean advocate

   Off Course: a sideways look at life at sea During this season of Off Course, we are speaking with seafarers who have a real focus on the environment and sustainability. In today's episode, we speak to Emily Penn, an ocean advocate with more than 15 years of maritime experience. She is the founder of eXXpedition, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to help people gain a deeper understanding of the plastics crisis. The organisation leads all-female crews on voyages to observe how plastics are polluting our oceans and to participate in pioneering scientific research. About Emily Penn: With extensive maritime experience, she leads initiatives that involve scientific research and storytelling to raise awareness about the impact of plastics on marine ecosystems. If you would like to find out more about Emily's journey or eXXpedition, you can find the eXXpedition website link below, along with Emily's social media and information page. https://exxpedition.com/ (https://exxpedition.com/) https://www.emilypenn.com/exxpedition (https://www.emilypenn.com/exxpedition) If you would like to register your interest in applying to future eXXpedition click the link below. https://exxpedition.com/register-your-interest/ (https://exxpedition.com/register-your-interest/) Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button and notification bell to stay up to date with all things Nautilus! For the latest Off course updates you can follow Nautilus International on social channels everywhere, @nautilusint Nautilus International is an independent, influential, global trade union and professional organisation that works with members, the maritime community, national governments and international agencies to create change and promote the sector, improving the lives of maritime professionals. It represents 18,000 maritime professionals including ship masters (captains), officers, officer trainees (cadets) and shipping industry personnel such as ship pilots, inland navigation workers, yacht crew, vessel traffic services operators, harbourmasters, seafarers in the oil and gas industry, and shore-based staff. 👉 JOIN NAUTILUS INTERNATIONAL For help and assistance at sea and ashore. www.nautilusint.org/en/join/join-online/ (http://www.nautilusint.org/en/join/join-online/) Soundbites (00:00) Introduction (01:14) expedition (03:08) Life at sea: lessons learned (11:31) The plastics crisis: initial discoveries (20:01) Understanding microplastics and their impact (25:01) The impact of chemicals on health (29:47) Collaborative research and global efforts (43:48) Future directions in ocean conservation (46:36) Outro Missemilypenn (https://www.instagram.com/missemilypenn/?hl=en#) - Instagram

2. 

   26 Feb 2026

   Off Course (S4 E5) Navigating the seas: Sophie Longhurst's journey

   Off Course: a sideways look at life at sea During this season of Off Course, we are speaking with seafarers who have a real focus on the environment and sustainability. Helen Kelly talks to Sophie Longhurst, a Deck officer cadet aboard the cruise ship Enchanted Princess. Sophie shares her experiences from training and life at sea, detailing her path into the maritime industry. The discussion highlights the supportive community she has discovered and explores her future career aspirations. A key part of the conversation focuses on maritime sustainability, covering current initiatives and the industry's drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To find out more information about the pre-cadetship Sophie completed, search,  Brockenhurst College. Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button and notification bell to stay up to date with all things Nautilus! For the latest Off Course updates, follow Nautilus International on social channels everywhere, @nautilusint To follow Sophie on Instagram search, @sophie.atsea (https://www.instagram.com/sophie.atsea/#) Nautilus International is an independent, influential, global trade union and professional organisation that works with members, the maritime community, national governments and international agencies to create change and promote the sector, improving the lives of maritime professionals. We represent 18,000 maritime professionals, including ship masters (captains), officers, officer trainees (cadets), yacht crew and shipping industry personnel, such as ship pilots, inland navigation workers, vessel traffic services operators, harbourmasters, seafarers in the oil and gas industry and shore-based staff. 👉 JOIN NAUTILUS INTERNATIONAL For help and assistance at sea and ashore. www.nautilusint.org/en/join/join-online/ (http://www.nautilusint.org/en/join/join-online/) Soundbites (00:00) Introduction to Sophie’s maritime journey (01:25) Pre-cadetship (05:57) Life on the bridge of a cruise ship (08:57) Sophie’s second sea phase (11:36) Adjusting to life at sea (21:17) Off Course podcast recap (21:17) Sustainability in the maritime industry (23:47) Fuel changeovers and emission controls (25:59) Future of maritime sustainability (27:37) Net zero by 2050 (29:30) Outro

3. 

   5 Feb 2026

   Off Course (S4 E4) Straight talker: Cassie Mead on crew sustainability

   🛟 Off Course: a sideways look at life at sea 🎙️During this season of Off Course, we will be interviewing some incredible seafarers who have a real focus on the environment and sustainability. Cassie Mead, a second officer and host of Women at the Helm podcast shares her journey and insights into the challenges faced by women at sea. The discussion covers topics such as sea blindness, the importance of union support, and the impact of ADHD on Cassie's career. Cassie Mead shares her journey as a mariner, reflecting on her career choices and the challenges faced in the maritime industry. She discusses the importance of sustainability, both in terms of environmental practices and crew welfare, emphasising the need for more crew members to alleviate fatigue and improve mental health. Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button and notification bell to stay up to date with all things Nautilus! For the latest Off Course updates, follow Nautilus International on social channels everywhere, @nautilusint To follow Cassie on Instagram, @cas.sea_onboard (https://www.instagram.com/cas.sea_onboard/#) Find Women at the Helm on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1RF3JNomVxfpIh8Sp2OhBt?si=3aab5bf2cf464326) here or by clicking the link below. https://open.spotify.com/show/1RF3JNomVxfpIh8Sp2OhBt?si=3aab5bf2cf464326 (https://open.spotify.com/show/1RF3JNomVxfpIh8Sp2OhBt?si=3aab5bf2cf464326) Nautilus International is an independent, influential, global trade union and professional organisation that works with members, the maritime community, national governments and international agencies to create change and promote the sector, improving the lives of maritime professionals. We represent 18,000 maritime professionals, including ship masters (captains), officers, officer trainees (cadets), yacht crew  and shipping industry personnel, such as ship pilots, inland navigation workers, vessel traffic services operators, harbourmasters, seafarers in the oil and gas industry, and shore-based staff. 👉 JOIN NAUTILUS INTERNATIONAL For help and assistance at sea and ashore. www.nautilusint.org/en/join/join-online/ (http://www.nautilusint.org/en/join/join-online/) Soundbites (00:00) Introduction to Cassie Mead and her journey (01:30) Women at the Helm: Empowering female seafarers (02:19) Sea blindness: The public's perception of maritime careers (06:19) Challenges for women in maritime: Breaking the boys' club (11:29)  The role of unions in supporting seafarers (12:50) Measuring success: The impact of Cassie's podcast (17:23) Navigating ADHD: Cassie's personal experience at sea (28:37) Off Course recap (29:20) Renovation and new beginnings: Cassie's current projects (32:02) Navigating career choices at sea (38:40) Sustainability in the maritime industry (50:52) Future of seafaring: Generational shifts and sustainability (58:59) Outro

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

52

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Off course: a sideways look at life at sea

Guest appearances

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