Last week the Geography Department welcomed retired Lance Corporal Christopher Sharpe to Year 12 lessons via Teams. Chris spoke to the students about his three years spent working in counter-piracy in the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea. The students are currently studying Global Governance: Oceans and have been learning about human and man-made chokepoints, international law governing the oceans and the impacts of piracy.

Chris explained to the students about a ship’s freeboard, challenges passing through Bab-el-Mendeb, medical emergencies at sea, causes of piracy and how ships defend themselves. Chris explained the nature of the piracy in the region and the value of each ship. Students put many questions to Chris about how pirates attempt to board ships, the effectiveness of transit corridors and the reality of working long periods at sea.

Students commented that it was so interesting to hear about piracy first hand, not just from the textbook. Chris really brought the subject to life, and we are very grateful to him for giving up his time.