Media Release
SD Victoria makes TV debut in BBC’s new fantasy drama,
Atlantis
1 October 2013
Serco’s training and support ship, SD Victoria made her first-ever television appearance at the weekend in
the premiere of BBC One’s new Saturday night fantasy drama, Atlantis.
SD Victoria, managed and operated by Serco, played host to cast and crew for an entire day on Saturday
22 June, enabling production company, Little Monster Films to shoot critical scenes in and around Portland
Harbour, Dorset.
Eagle-eyed viewers would have spotted the vessel in the first episode -The Earth Bull - watched by 5.8m
people, as the programme’s young hero, Jason (played by actor Jack Donnelly) speaks with Mac (played by
actor Mark Lewis Jones) onboard.
The BBC’s action packed 13-part series is set in a world of legendary heroes and mythical creatures. Jason
is on a personal quest to find his father when he uncovers the lost city of Atlantis. Aided by his two new
friends, Pythagoras and Hercules, Jason embarks on a voyage of discovery, and salvation, which sees him
brush shoulders with Medusa, come face-to-face with a Minotaur and even do battle with the dead.
SD Victoria is one of the largest of 120 vessels operated by Serco Marine Services in the UK and is based
at Greenock’s Great Harbour in Scotland. Built in Romania in 2010, the 83m training and support ship is
available for commercial charter, but is primarily used to support military training and exercises as part of
Serco's contract with the UK Ministry of Defence. This includes the transportation of personnel and military
equipment and diving support operations. She is currently berthed at Devonport, Plymouth before shortly
setting sail for her next task.
Serco’s Peter Kennedy, the ship’s Master, who was on aboard when filming took place, said: “We were
delighted to be part of this exciting new BBC drama series. I’m sure that the programme will be as enjoyable
to watch on the small screen as it was when the filming was taking place onboard.”
Amanda Wilkie, co-producer for Atlantis added: “Serco’s crew on board could not have been more helpful
and accommodating. They provided us with the essential working environment for film making and Peter's
skill in manoeuvring the ship into the precise position we needed for each shot - despite the choppy
conditions - meant we achieved a successful day's filming. It was a real pleasure.”
1
Media Release
Ends
For further information or to arrange a tour of the ship, please contact:
Manjeet Turner, Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07718 195 320 and Email: [email protected]
Tracey Cobbett, Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07590 779 327 and Email: [email protected]
Notes to editors
Further details on the BBC’s new series can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01h495x
About Serco
Serco is an international service company, which combines commercial know-how with a deep public
service ethos.
Around the world, we improve essential services by managing people, processes, technology and assets
more effectively. We advise policy makers, design innovative solutions, integrate systems and - most of all deliver to the public.
Serco supports governments, agencies and companies who seek a trusted partner with a solid track record
of providing assured service excellence. Our people offer operational, management and consulting
expertise in the aviation, BPO, defence, education, environmental services, facilities management, health,
home affairs, information and communications technology, knowledge services, local government, science
and nuclear, transport, welfare to work and the commercial sectors.
More information can be found at www.serco.com.
About Serco’s Defence business
Serco Marine Services enable the Royal Navy to move in and out of port at HM Naval Bases Faslane,
Portsmouth and Devonport for operational deployment and training exercises. Managing a fleet of over 100
vessels, we operate tugs and pilot boats, provide stores, liquid and munitions transportation, provide
passenger transfer services to and from ships and support military trials, exercises and training
worldwide. We also manage a Fisheries Research Vessel for the Agri – Food and Biosciences Institute of
Northern Ireland and International Nuclear Services’ fleet of 5 ships.
2
Media Release
Serco provides extensive engineering and maintenance support to UK military aviation, including to the
Fleet Air Arm and Royal Air Force, working on over 16 military aircraft types, in addition to the logistical
support services at RAF bases across the country, including Brize Norton, Lyneham and High Wycombe,
the Headquarters of Air Command.
Our space and security specialists provide spacecraft operation and in-theatre support to the Skynet 5
secure military satellite communications network; we maintain the UK's anti-ballistic missile warning system
at RAF Fylingdales and support the UK Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS); Serco also supports
the intelligence mission of the MoD and US Department of Defence at RAF Menwith Hill.
Serco enables the training of national security personnel through its services at the Defence Academy of the
United Kingdom, the MoD's world class institute responsible for educating the military leaders of tomorrow;
we train all of the RAF's helicopter pilots at the advanced training facility at RAF Benson; and we manage
the Cabinet Office's Emergency Planning College, the government's training centre for crisis management
and emergency planning.
In the UK, we also developed an approach that combines the introduction of windfarm friendly radar
technology at RRH Trimingham, Staxton Wold and Brizlee Wood that has enabled >5GW windfarm
development projects, which are equally important to the Department of Energy and Climate Change to
meet its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the Ministry of Defence.
3