7 October 2016
In September, long serving employee David Miller reached his 30 years’ service at Shoreham Port. Having gone to sea as a Navigating Cadet aged sixteen and gaining his Master Mariner Certificate, David joined the Port as a Port Control Officer in 1986. When Trinity House ended their pilotage, David was offered the opportunity to train as a pilot at the Port in 1989. David is now the Port’s Deputy Harbour Master and Senior Pilot and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his role.
Pilots play a vital role in ensuring that ships can enter and leave the Port throughout the day and night, depending on the tide. They board each ship and use their expert local knowledge and ship handling skills to advise the master on the best course of action to take.
David commented “I have very much enjoyed working at the Port all these years – and still do. The elements on any vessel are always challenging; that narrow entrance concentrates the mind! One can never afford to be complacent.”
David continued “I’ve only been unable to disembark a vessel on one occasion. It was a quick job at midnight, an old Greek coaster out of the river but in a snowstorm. Fortunately, she was only going to Poole, where we arrived the following morning! There are many enjoyable aspects to the role, in particular the thank you from a Captain after a good job navigating their vessel into Port. Challenging aspects include having to refuse a vessel’s entry due to poor weather conditions. Whatever the circumstances, we are always supported by a closely knit team.”
Rodney Lunn, Chief Executive at Shoreham Port added “David is a highly valued member of our team and we would like to congratulate him on his 30 years’ service at the Port. It has been a pleasure celebrating his long service award and we look forward to continuing to work with him.”