Shields ferry father-son duo who work together on the river tyne

STEPHEN BECK HAS SAID THAT HE IS '"PROUD" TO SEE HIS SON STEPHEN BECK JR FOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS 14:41, 21 May 2025 Stephen Beck and his son Stephen Beck Jr are the first

father and son due to work together on the Shields Ferry, helping passengers to get across the River Tyne. Stephen Jr has joined the Ferry as a Second Mate, and is currently training to

skipper the vessels like his dad, who has been doing that job for 30 years. The older Stephen is passing on his three decades of knowledge and experience, so that his son is already adept at

driving the iconic local boats, which are operated by Nexus. Stephen Beck, 61, of Low Fell, said: "I’m proud to have my son Stephen following in my footsteps. It’s great to have him

there at work with me on the River Tyne. "The ferries must be in the blood, because he really has the knack of driving them, and he’s only been in training for three months, he's a

chip off the old block. I’ve been showing him the ropes, as I do with all our new recruits, and it does seem like he’s got this natural ability for the job. "As a father you worry

about how he might fit in, and will working with his dad put extra pressure on his shoulders, but so far it’s been great, and he’s got through the basics of the training process really

quickly. We did have a conversation about the fact we’d be at work together and that I’d be his boss, teaching him how to drive the two ferries. "He’s fine with it and it’s brilliant

that the ferry driving baton is being passed from father to son in our family. Stephen will continue with his training this summer and hopefully before the end of the year he can take his

boat licence test, and I’m confident that he can get through that. "There’s maybe some extra pressure there because I’m his dad, but I know that he can do it, and it’ll be a really

proud moment for me when he gets through that test." KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS AND TOP STORIES FROM THE NORTH EAST WITH OUR FREE NEWSLETTER Stephen Beck Jr, also

from Gateshead, is one a number of new recruits currently training, and he added: "I’m really enjoying it, it’s been fine working with my dad, and he’s not too much of a taskmaster.

I’d say firm but fair so far, and he’s not had to tell me off for anything just yet. "Part of the appeal of the job was a chance to work with him, as he has huge experience and

knowledge of the Ferry. It’s great that I’ve been able to tap into that knowledge, and it's clear that there is a lot to learn to become a ferry skipper and follow in dad’s footsteps.

"I’m taking it in my stride and I’ve already got a good grasp on the basics of the job as I’m quite a practical person. My goal is to get the boat licence so I can qualify to drive the

vessels when they’re in customer service. "I don’t see dad at work every single day, but I do see him quite a lot, as he's done some of the training, and I’ve also had mentoring

off other experienced members of the crew. Article continues below "It was a bit daunting at first, getting behind the controls of the ferry with your dad at your shoulder giving the

lesson. It’s a bit like learning to drive a car, once you get the hang of it you’re absolutely fine." For more information on the Shields Ferry visit the Nexus website here. JOIN OUR

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