Joe Quinn Retires after 50 years at Sea

26 February, 2010 - 10:34 — admin

Photo taken on Board the Mv Hrossey of Joe with the ships crew and Office staff.

Joe Quinn joined P&O Scottish Ferries when the St Sunniva joined the P&O fleet, to combine with the St Clair to service Orkney and Shetland. Joe stayed with the St Sunniva throughout her 15 year period 1987-2002. When P&O lost the franchise for the Northern Isles routes, he was then appointed to the new Northlink vessel Hrossey where he remained until his recent retirement.

In 2007 having just completed the annual refit of the Hrossey in Birkenhead Joe suffered a heart attack whilst travelling to his home on Barra. Joe was admitted to a Glasgow hospital where he received heart bypass surgery, making a full recovery and returning to the vessel soon afterwards looking younger and fitter than he had done for years.

Presenting Joe with his retirement gifts at a ceremony on board the Hrossey, Captain Dave Wheeler said "Joe has always had a huge pride in the vessels under his charge, and this is evidenced by the immaculate appearance of the St Sunniva and Hrossey over the past 23 years. He has a bubbly jovial personality and a willingness to help out other departments in all tasks, no matter how great or small and this has resulted in a huge popularity with his ship mates".

On a lighter note, Captain Wheeler continued, "since 2002 Joe has run the unofficial Barra Recruitment agency, which has seen a huge influx of Barra Seamen working on the Northlink ships. Concluding, Captain Wheeler thanked Joe for his years of service and wished him a long and Happy retirement".

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