New documentary shines a spotlight on women in maritime

A unique opportunity for students at Solent, made possible thanks to a fruitful collaboration between Solent Creatives – a student-powered creative agency connecting students and graduates to transformative experiences in the world of work – and the MNTB, the documentary was created to provide a greater insight into cadet training in the UK and, ultimately, a career at sea.

It was directed, filmed and edited by MA Film Production graduate, Luke Small and presented by BA (Hons) Television Production alumna, Darcey Richardson. Solent Creatives and Start Up Manager, Sally Saunders, says:

“This has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain hands-on experience working on a national campaign with real impact — and they absolutely delivered! The Merchant Navy Training Board has been a pleasure to collaborate with: open, supportive, and genuinely enthusiastic about student-led creativity. Luke and Darcey put in a huge amount of work and brought real talent and professionalism to every stage of the production. They went above and beyond, and the result is a powerful, inspiring film that we’re all really proud to be part of.”

The production, which saw Luke and Darcey meet different people currently training and working at sea, was created while they were students at Solent. The experience saw the duo film on location in Newcastle and Edinburgh for a film which will be utilised nationally.

Susan Bell, Training and Careers Manager at the Merchant Navy Training Board, says:

"It’s been a pleasure working with Solent Creatives and the talented students, Luke and Darcey, on this documentary exploring careers at sea in the Merchant Navy. Their creativity, professionalism and enthusiasm brought the project to life in a truly inspiring way – what better way to connect with young people than having current students working on this project! Thank you to everyone involved.”

This new documentary showcases the diversity of roles on offer in the Merchant Navy, sharing unique perspectives from a range of people currently working in maritime. As one of England’s central hubs for the training of cadets, Solent University’s Warsash Maritime School is proud that women account for around 12% of all students; above the sector average.

When it comes to the representation of women in maritime, there is still much to be done, and documentaries like this play a key role in empowering people to consider careers at sea. The documentary was released on Friday 16 May, in time for International Day of Women in Maritime on Sunday 18 May.

As an in-house agency, Solent Creatives connects students with real-world clients who can utilise their unique set of skills. This approach has a ripple effect, allowing businesses to benefit from the University’s talented learning community while giving students and graduates practical experience. Luke credits Solent Creatives for connecting him to an opportunity which became one of his best experiences at Solent:

“Being part of this project was a highlight of my university years. It tested my abilities – I was the primary director, videographer, sound operator and editor – but also showed me areas for improvement when handling multiple roles. Now, I have more confidence in my technical abilities.

“Studying at Solent has allowed me to grow and experience the industry at my own pace, meeting experienced professionals and broadening my network to facilitate a smooth transition into my career.”

Luke is now a successful freelance videographer and offers high-quality media production services through his own company, Dion Media.

Watch the documentary here.