Fred. Olsen Funds 24/7 Public Defibrillator at Liverpool Pier Head
With Liverpool’s cruise footprint growing, the investment shows how ports and operators use public safety projects to build trust and deeper ties on the waterfront.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has funded the installation of a new 24/7 public-access defibrillator at Liverpool’s Pier Head, expanding round-the-clock emergency equipment availability on the city’s waterfront. The device was unveiled on March 12 in an initiative delivered with Liverpool Cruise Port and supported by the Heart 2 Heart charity.
Public-access defibrillator unveiled on Liverpool waterfront
The defibrillator has been installed in a prominent, high-footfall area at the Pier Head and is available for public use at all hours. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said the installation is intended to strengthen health and safety provision for residents, visitors and waterfront teams, while also supporting Heart 2 Heart’s work to improve access to defibrillators and build awareness of CPR.
“Having accessible defibrillators close by can make all the difference in an emergency,” Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines CEO Samantha Stimpson said, describing the Pier Head installation as a step toward ensuring life-saving equipment is available “where it’s needed most.”
CPR training onboard Bolette for port and community stakeholders
The March 12 unveiling also included an essential CPR training session delivered onboard Bolette for community stakeholders. The training was positioned as a practical companion to the new equipment, aimed at improving confidence and readiness to respond quickly if a cardiac emergency occurs nearby.
Stimpson said the cruise line coordinated the training with Liverpool Cruise Port and Mersey Ferries. “Working with Liverpool Cruise Port and Mersey Ferries, we’ve also been able to coordinate CPR training for their teams, equipping them with vital, lifesaving skills and helping to build confidence to step in and help when it really matters,” she said.
Heart 2 Heart partnership and fundraising since 2022
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has partnered with Heart 2 Heart since 2022 and has raised more than £43,000 for the charity to date, according to the cruise line. The Pier Head installation adds a new permanent point of access for defibrillator equipment as part of that support.
Broader Liverpool Cruise Port partnership and the 2026 programme
Fred. Olsen described the Pier Head defibrillator and training as the first of several community initiatives planned through its partnership with Liverpool Cruise Port. The collaboration is expected to deliver maritime-led and community-focused activities through 2026, aligning with the cruise line’s long-standing presence in the city.
Stimpson said the cruise line is taking a long-term approach in Liverpool. “We are delighted to join Liverpool Cruise Port in delivering this ambitious programme of community and sustainability initiatives throughout 2026,” she said, adding: “Liverpool has been a key homeport for more than twenty years, and our connection with the city and its people is both long-standing and deeply valued.”
- Awareness-day activity: The partners said the 2026 schedule will include work tied to Women in Maritime Day, the International Day of the Seafarer and International Coastal Clean-Up Day, combining practical waterfront activity with community involvement.
- Community and wellbeing projects: The programme also references continued support for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, expanded defibrillator provision across the port estate, and health, safety and wellbeing work linked to port areas and the local workforce.
Port leadership: ESG focus rooted in Liverpool
John Mawer, general manager of GPH UK Cruise Ports, said the partnership is intended to connect port activity with wider responsibilities across the waterfront. “Liverpool Cruise Port has a proud maritime heritage, and with that comes a responsibility to lead on sustainability, inclusion and community engagement,” Mawer said.
He added: “Our partnership with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines allows us to deliver ESG-led community initiatives that are authentic, practical and rooted in Liverpool.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is the new defibrillator located and when was it unveiled?
The device is installed at Liverpool’s Pier Head on the waterfront and was unveiled on March 12.
What is the purpose of the Pier Head defibrillator?
It is intended to provide 24/7 public access to lifesaving equipment in a high-footfall waterfront area, strengthening emergency readiness for both the local community and port users.
Who funded the installation and which charity is being supported?
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines funded the defibrillator in support of the Heart 2 Heart charity, which works to improve access to defibrillators and increase CPR awareness.
What training took place alongside the installation?
An essential CPR training session was delivered onboard Bolette for community stakeholders, coordinated with Liverpool Cruise Port and Mersey Ferries.
What other initiatives are planned through the Liverpool Cruise Port partnership in 2026?
The partners referenced activity around Women in Maritime Day, the International Day of the Seafarer and International Coastal Clean-Up Day, alongside projects including support for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, further defibrillator provision and health, safety and wellbeing work across the port estate.
