Guest Speaker Gregory Purdy, RCL’s senior vice president of marine operations, on Thursday, October 18, shared how a company with 540 ports of call, seven brands and 60 ships approaches ocean management and continues to drive industry growth in an ever changing environment.
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) grabbed the attention of potential job seekers attending the Lowell J. Mortimer Maritime Academy’s Second Annual Maritime Conference, an event which brings together the industry’s stakeholders – education and training professionals, maritime cadets, employers, port operators and others interested in exploring local, regional and international issues impacting the sector, the Freeport News reported on October 22.
Showcasing the cruise line as a place of great opportunity for young, motivated individuals, Gregory Purdy, Royal Caribbean International’s senior vice president of marine operations on Thursday, October 18, shared what it takes to operate a company with 540 ports of call around the world, seven brands and 60 ships (with another 18 on order) and how that company approaches ocean management and drives growth in an complex, ever changing environment.
“I really do think there’s something about the sea that’s in your blood that you feel drawn to the sea and you pursue the sea,” said Purdy, a veteran of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) who joined the Royal Caribbean International brand in 2001 to manage the company’s marine safety training program.
His responsibilities grew to encompass fleet compliance assurance for the company’s marine safety, security and environmental programs. A former ship captain, Purdy is primarily responsible for the safe operation of a 25-strong fleet including the world’s largest cruise ships.
“Here, in The Bahamas where you have such beautiful inspiration constantly for the sea, why pick any other career or industry?” said the New Mexico native who grew up two-days driving distance away from the nearest ocean. http://thefreeportnews.com/news/royal-caribbean-cruises-ltd-entices-ljm-students-exciting-maritime-careers/
