Thread: Cunard Line Appoints Master for New Queen Elizabeth

I would have liked to see Captain McNaught get the job, but it was not to be


2 September 2009 - Captain Christopher Wells has been appointed Master of Cunard Line's new 90,000-ton liner, Queen Elizabeth, which will enter service in October 2010. Captain Wells joined Cunard as second officer on Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1992.

Captain Wells was born and brought up in Bournemouth, England. His love of the sea developed when he learned to sail in Poole Harbour and resulted in his commencing a four-year cadetship with Shell Tankers at Warsash College in 1974. He qualified as a second officer in 1978 and obtained his Master's certificate in 1985. He served with Shell for 16 years.

He also found time in 1986 to join the Royal Naval Reserve. He still undertakes two weeks' training with the RNR each year, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in 1994.

"It is a well deserved honour for Captain Wells to be appointed Master of Queen Elizabeth," said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. "His experience on our longest serving ship QE2, and our flagship Queen Mary 2, will ensure that guests on our newest ship will enjoy all of the same famous traditions offered by Cunard Line."

After joining Cunard and QE2, Captain Wells worked his way through the ranks to become staff captain. He later joined

Stephen.

It's very interesting to read how Captain Wells worked his way up to become Master of the new Queen Elizabeth.

Who knows, Captain McNaught might get the next vessel! Surely Cunard will carry on expanding and bring back the roar of thier lion!

From an e-mail I just got from Cunard.



We are delighted to announce that Captain Chris Wells, who joined Cunard as second officer on Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1992, has been appointed Master of the new 90,000-ton liner, Queen Elizabeth, which will enter service in October 2010.

After joining Cunard and QE2, Captain Wells worked his way through the ranks to become staff captain. He later was seconded to the Queen Mary 2 New Build Team and spent 18 months at the St Nazaire shipyard. Having seen the ship develop from the beginning and bringing her into service as Staff Captain, Captain Wells was extremely proud when appointed to the command of Queen Mary 2 last year.

Peter Shanks, President and Managing Director of Cunard Line says: "It is a well deserved honour for Captain Wells to be appointed Master of Queen Elizabeth. He will be a fine leader for all of our colleagues working with him on Queen Elizabeth. His experience on both QE2 and Queen Mary 2 will ensure he continues the famous traditions of Cunard Line".

Commenting on his appointment, Captain Wells says: "Bringing Queen Elizabeth up Southampton Water to her home port will be one of the proudest moments of my life, and I very much hope that the people of Southampton and beyond will take the ship to their hearts as they have all the Cunard Queens since Queen Mary was launched in 1934; Queen Elizabeth certainly follows in that great tradition'.