Oral history; Interview with David Newcomb, 2017
Main details
| Reference number | 2018/1962 |
|---|---|
| Description | David Newcomb describes his family history working on the river and his job as Operations Manager. |
| Interviewee | David Newcomb |
| Dates | 22/11/2017 |
| Collection | |
| Object type |
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| Topics | |
| Completeness | 61% |
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Physical description
Item content Attribute Value Object title Oral history interview with David Newcomb, 2017 -
Interview summary
David Newcomb [DN] was born in Rochford, Essex. [00:00:46] DN’s father worked at the British Ferry as a manager. His Grandfather and Great-Grandfather also worked on the river. DN was apprenticed. DN’s Mother is a hairdresser, having also trained through an apprenticeship. DN’s father retired when the contract transferred from Greenwich to Serco. DN went from being Assistant Operations Manager to Operations Manager at this time. [00:01:43] DN’s father is also called David Newcomb and his grandfather was Arthur Newcomb. DN went to school in Benfleet, Essex where he has lived all his life. [00:02:31] DN started on the ferry as a deck hand, his Dad putting him through his apprenticeship. DN describes his promotions through the ranks, eventually taking on a managerial role. [00:02:54] DN is asked about aspirations when he began at the ferry and he describes that at the time there was a view that ferries and docks was closing. [00:03:38] DN started working at the Woolwich Ferry in 1991. [00:04:09] DN is asked about his first day and talks about the type of work and its difficulty. DN remarks that the hardest part of the role is the impact of doing shift work. [00:04:49] DN is asked about his current role in the company. Lists responsibilities including the staffing and day to day running of ferry. DN describes the structure of the team he works with and other teams such as the traffic team, deck staff crews etc. and their shift patterns. [00:06:12] DN is asked about his progression in the company and talks about training for his Boatmasters license. This is a four-year apprenticeship partly on the job and partly external training. DN talks about training as a senior deck hand which could be daunting as passengers would be on board. Progression is Deck Hand, Senior Deck Hand, Mate and Captain. The Captain, Mate or Senior Deck Hand can navigate the vessel. [00:07:27] DN is asked if the apprenticeship he did still exists. It does, and can be done through Waterman’s Hall. [00:07:54] DN is asked for memorable days. Describes having the UK Paralympic Rugby Team on board to film with the BBC(?) ahead of the Olympics. [00:08:30] DN follows this with a story of an overnight Bollywood film shoot with around one hundred dancers on board. [00:09:13] DN talks about fog, high tides and very high winds stopping service and the times and days that the boats run. [00:10:25] DN is asked to describe TFL’s role in the Riverboat services. A brief description of the ownership being passed from Greenwich Council to Serco and then to Briggs. Briggs are investing a lot of money into upgrading the infrastructure including the ‘links bands’, which DN goes on to explain are the ramps that lead from the boat. These were built in 1963 and were mechanical, causing frequent breakdowns. These have now been replaced by computer controlled systems. [0011:39] DN describes the reduction in kit that has happened with the upgrading of equipment. [00:12:13] DN is asked if he has witnessed change in policies since he has been there. He explains that the vessels themselves have not changed but policies such as Health and Safety have meant implementing new things such as risk assessments. [00:12:43] Discussion of whether different owners impact the day to day working of the ferry. During the time of Serco, the boats were sent away to Hull every 5 years for a survey which caused issues. Description of the changes in Human Resources that are being implemented by Briggs. [00:14:13] Serco took over in around 2008 for around four years, when they were succeeded by Briggs. [00:14:32] DN is asked to describe an average day on the ferry. Explains that it is an unpredictable job and that anything can happen, mentioning staffing issues and breakdowns. [00:15:46] DN asked to clarify how the two-boat service works. One boat is always running so the other undergoes maintenance in the meantime. The boats were built in 1963 so they are 'life expired', hence the replacement of the vessels. [00:16:20] DN explains that maintenance is done in-house. Ten men working in the workshop with overall team of just under one hundred people. [00:17:07] DN asked about 'typical' passenger, talks about getting to know regular passengers during his time as Deck Hand. People following Satnavs who were previously unaware of the river, or foot passengers that walk on without realising it is a boat. [00:18:58] The trip takes 2-3 minutes, with a 10-minute turnaround time. [00:19:12] DN describes the biggest challenge as keeping the boats running. [00:19:36] DN talks about the new vessels being hybrid-electric, which may pose issues as it is a new technology for this kind of environment. He talks about the positives, such as efficiency, no more height restrictions and more equipment on board such as radars. There is mention of the rule that as a crossing vessel, the ferry must always give way to other boats. [00:21:15] Two new vessels: Dame Vera Lynn and Ben Woollacott. [Ben was a fifth-generation Thames Boatman and tragically died after falling off the Woolwich Ferry. He had been working there having completed his apprenticeship]. DN explains a little about the two names. New vessels are being built in Poland currently and are due to arrive in October 2018. Discusses the under-utilisation of the River since the dockyards and freight have gone and the introduction of Thames Clippers. [00:22:42] River travel as a clean form of transport, differences between the Woolwich Ferry and the Thames Clipper. [00:23:47] DN refers to the ferry as being almost 'an extension of the road', the link between north and south. [00:24:08] Discussion of using the nearby foot tunnel as an alternative to the ferry, which is of a similar age. [00:25:43] DN describes the plans for the new vessels and goes into detail about the berth, training and plans for a simulator to be installed. [00:27:45] DN talks about the team's acceptance of the new vessels. Plans for the implementation of new structures and vessels during the six-week shut-down. [00:28:44] Topic turns to alternative routes for vehicles during the six-week shut-down. Alternatives are Blackwell Tunnel and Dartford Tunnel. DN mention the fact that a closure of either of these tunnels creates a gridlock at the Woolwich Ferry crossing. [00:29:36] Discussion of the number of passengers that use the ferry. No specific figures given. DN goes into detail about AIS, a currently used boating technology that is similar, but not as advanced as (?), radar. [00:30:43] Talk about the new boats and the provision of a rescue boat on board or emergencies.[00:30:50] -
People involved
Role Person(s) involved Interviewer Donata Miller, 22/11/2017Interviewee David Newcomb -
Associated companies, people and places
Places Interview location Woolwich Ferry