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I was a boarder at Harlow from 1951 and was in Rodney House.
On leaving Harlow attended King Edward VII Nautical College
for pre-sea training.
1957 -60 served Cadetship world-wide in the tramp and liner
trades.
'61 qualified with 2nd Mates certificate, and subsequently
obtained 1st Mates and Master Foreign Going by 66. Continued
to operate in mainly liners trading to Indian and African
continents and all points in-between, with occasional diversions
elsewhere.
Initially came ashore for a 2 year project in 1970 to the
company's head office, having served as Port Relief Master,
Chief Officer and Cadet Training Officer afloat, to administer
cadet training programme and recruitment, and represent company
at colleges, industry seminars and conventions.
Transferred to another company where responsible for all
seafarers training programmes, and recruitment of school leavers.
Involved nationally in conventions and recruitment to the
industry. Seat on Merchant Navy Training Board Committee,
and Board of Governors, Merchant Navy College Greenhithe (
previously the Worcester) in mid 70's.
Joined Port of London Authority in 1975; involved with operation
of Royal, West India and Tilbury Docks as Dockmaster, operation
of the traffic control on the river during the construction
period of the Thames Flood Barrier, from which today's control
centre and operational procedures were developed.
1980 transferred to the Port's Hydrographic Department, which
is responsible for all survey aspects of the Thames, including
tidal monitoring, from Teddington to the outer port limits
(approximately offshore off Clacton and Margate). The dissemination
of all information gathered concerning the safety of navigation
to vessels, mariners and other interested parties, is published
by the Port and the U.K. Hydrographic Office on Admiralty
Charts and Notices. From 1985 to retirement in 2001, main
area of operation has been the outer estuary, where manual
and semi automated systems have developed into modern computer
driven systems, both for data gathering and craft operation
as well as floating test beds for shore monitoring systems.
Now enjoying retirement and the grandchildren, while still
maintaining interests through society meetings of past working
life.
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