Thirty years on and Port job is one David is still enjoying

Long-serving employee David Miller reached his 30 years' service at Shoreham Port last month.
David Miller has worked at Shoreham Port for 30 yearsDavid Miller has worked at Shoreham Port for 30 years
David Miller has worked at Shoreham Port for 30 years

Having gone to sea as a Navigating Cadet aged 16 and gaining his master mariner certificate, David joined the Port as a Port Control Officer in 1986. When Trinity House ended its 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.

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Pilots ensure 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 said: “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. 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.”

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