Sector Spotlight: David Hulse, Ship's Captain

In our second Sector Spotlight on Maritime Careers, we hear from David Hulse, the Captain of the Pentalina. Pentland Ferries operates the shortest ferry crossing from Orkney to Caithness. Their newest ferry MV Alfred, which is currently on charter to CalMac, has achieved a Green Tourism Award for its fuel efficiency - the first of its kind in the United Kingdom.

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Can you describe a typical day in your role as Ship's Captain?
Morning Routine
My day typically begins after a quick coffee to get going, I head to the bridge to begin preparations for the day.

Pre-Sailing Checks
Upon arrival on the bridge, I start by checking for any outstanding alarms. I then review both current and forecasted weather conditions, as well as tidal times for all relevant ports.

To stay fully informed, I monitor local VHF radio transmissions for nearby vessel activity and consult the local Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) website for any shipping updates or Notices to Mariners that could impact our movements.

Before sailing, I carry out a brief walk-around of the vessel to conduct a critical inspection of key areas. I also complete the pre-sail checklist, ensuring all systems—engines, radars, radios, steering, route planning (to name a few)—are fully operational and ready.

Once loading is complete and all doors and hatches are secured, I verify everything via the bridge control panel. With all systems go, I manoeuvre the vessel away from the berth and begin our journey.

Underway (Transit)
During transit, I remain in command of the vessel and continuously monitor speed, heading, weather, and nearby traffic using radar and AIS (Automatic Identification System). If necessary, I can hand over to the Chief Officer (Officer of the Watch) temporarily—for example, to catch up on paperwork or grab a quick bite to eat.

Arrival at Port
As we approach our destination, I resume control if I’m not already at the helm, and guide the vessel alongside the berth. Once securely docked, I oversee final checks before instructing the Chief Officer to lower the stern ramp onto the linkspan for passenger disembarkation. This process repeats throughout the day as we sail between ports.

Crew Changes
On days when crew rotations are scheduled, I ensure all relevant documentation is completed for both off-going and incoming crew members.

Administrative Duties
In between sailings, I also manage a variety of administrative tasks. This includes handling emails, reviewing maintenance requests, and approving work that could impact the ship’s watertight integrity or operational safety.

End of Day
At the end of the day, I make sure the vessel is securely moored with the correct number of lines to hold position safely overnight, accounting for possible changes in wind speed or direction. Once we’ve switched over to shore power, I finalise and sign off the ship’s logbooks for the day.

How did you end up in this role?
I spent 30 years in the military—serving with both the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary—as a Deck Officer After retiring from military service, I transitioned into the cruise industry, where I spent around 10 years as a Safety Officer, sailing with passengers on voyages around the world.

Following my time at sea with the cruise industry, I took on a variety of roles through an agency, gaining experience across different types of vessels. Eventually, I joined Pentland Ferries on a contract and quickly found that I really enjoyed the work, the crew, and the company culture. It didn’t take long to decide to stay on in a more permanent capacity.

What is the best thing about your job?
I find genuine fulfilment in the responsibility and sense of authority that comes with the role. My connection to the sea has been a lifelong one — there's something deeply grounding about the rhythm of the tides, the salty air, and the ever-changing horizon. I never tire of watching the daily dance of sunrises and sunsets. Navigating a ship through complex tides and unpredictable weather isn’t just a challenge; it’s a mental puzzle I truly enjoy, and there’s great satisfaction in a voyage well-executed.

What is the worst thing about your job?
While I genuinely enjoy the authority and responsibility that come with command, it's important to stay mindful that I’m ultimately accountable for everyone and everything on board. This responsibility is especially significant during emergencies, mechanical failures, or challenging weather conditions.

The role can be demanding — long hours, physical and mental fatigue, and the occasional sense of isolation, particularly being away from family. Schedules can be tight, and weather can turn quickly, sometimes without warning, no matter what the forecast says.

There's also a substantial administrative side to the job. From regulatory paperwork and crew records to safety drills and inspections, it can sometimes feel like you're managing a floating office.

Staying compliant with international and local maritime regulations is a constant priority. This includes SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), MARPOL (the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships), STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping), and specific port requirements. Non-compliance doesn’t just pose operational risks — it can result in fines, damage to the company’s reputation, and, in serious cases, the suspension or loss of my license.

What skills do you need to undertake your role?
To become a ship's Captain, you need to follow a structured path of education, training, sea time, and certification. You would normally need to have GCSE’s in Maths, English, Science, moving up to A level when following an Officer Cadet route.

You start off as a Deck Officer and work your way up through the ranks completing sea time in between each rank. At the end you would normally obtain a foundation degree, HNC/HND or BSc in nautical science or marine operations. Once you have these, you would get additional skills through leadership and management training along with bridge resource management, passenger vessel endorsements as required for the different types of ships.

What qualifications do you have?
I have a Class I Master Mariner certification which allows me to captain any size ship. I have qualifications in Maritime Law, as well as a postgraduate degree in Navigation as well as a number of other professional qualifications that help me to conduct my role onboard as well as ashore should I feel the need to stop going to sea in the future.

Would you recommend this job to young people? If so, why?
Absolutely
It’s hard work with lots of studying but the rewards outweigh the work input by meeting people from all walks of life and visiting ports and places across the world – and being paid for it!!!

Visit Pentland Ferries on:
Website: https://pentlandferries.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PentlandFerries
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pentlandferries/