Post by Captain Welden on Jan 23, 2009 11:12:43 GMT -5
Initials and Surname: J. E. Welden
Full Name: James Edward Welden
Date of Birth: 02/01/1971
Place of Birth: Douglas, Isle of Man
Nationality: Manx
Company: Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (2003-)
Previous Experience: Hoverspeed (1994-6), Sea Containers (1996-2003)
Current Command: HSC Mona's Isle (ex Incat 029)
Brief History: James Edward Welden was born on the Isle of Man in 1971. He attended Murray's Road Primary School and then Castle Rushen High School, acheiving several C-A* O-levels in subjects including Maths, English, French and Geography. He got an A-level in Physics, Geography and Maths, helping him enter the Marine School at Fleetwood in 1991.
When he qualified from Marine School, he successfully obtained a post with Hoverspeed on the English Channel as a helm officer on their SeaCat fastcraft. In 1996, he moved to the Isle of Man when he was selected by Sea Containers to serve aboard their on-charter SeaCat Isle of Man (now Snaefell (6)). Until 2003, he remained under Sea Containers' service until the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company was sold to another owner.
James obtained a post with the Steam Packet Company aboard the SeaCat Isle of Man as a Second Officer. In 2005, he moved onto the HSC SuperSeaCat Two (now Viking (2)), until 2007 when he was promoted to Chief Officer of the HSC Sea Express 1 (ex SeaCat Isle of Man), however his tenure was brief when the vessel was badly damaged in a collision with the bulk carrier Alaska Rainbow on the River Mersey. James then served on the MS Ben-my-Chree (6) until 2008, when he was promoted to Master. In January 2009, he was selected to fly out with a crew and his family to Hobart and collect the new Steam Packet fastcraft Incat 029 and bring her back to the UK.
James lives in Onchan and is happily married to Manx-born wife Emily and they have two children, Molly and Sharice.