Submarine engineering apprentices come to the rescue

A team of Babcock Marine apprentices joined National Trust rangers to help clear up recent storm damage at Ayrmer Cove, near Plymouth.

The apprentices who are based in Devonport Royal Dockyard were able to transfer engineering skills gained from ship and submarine maintenance to the installation a new bridge and fencing along the South West Coast Path.

Stephen Boyd, Apprentice Development Manager with Babcock International Group, who accompanied the group, said: "It was the perfect opportunity for the apprentices to get some hands-on involvement with work that would directly benefit the community.

"The nine apprentices are taking part in the Brathay Challenge to compete for the prestigious ‘Apprentice Team of the Year Award’.

"Teams have to show excellent team building, leadership, logistical and communications abilities. This two day project was ideal."

Wynona Legg, National Trust Ranger, added: "Recent storms have left much of our coastal sites in South Devon severely damaged. Help like this enables us to move much faster to tidy and repair areas which are much used and loved by local communities and visitors."

Interested in helping with the storm clear-up and/or other volunteering opportunities? Please contact the South Devon ranger team on 01752 346585.