Contents

UKMPA MEET WITH DfT

On the 18th January, following an invitation from the DfT, the UKMPA had two meetings  with Civil Servants and others to discuss the draft Marine Navigation Bill (DMNB). Read the rest of this entry »

George Richard Cockram

George, who died in September 2009 at the age of 97, was the grandson, son, and father of a Liverpool Pilot. Read the rest of this entry »

Ralph Bird 1942 – 2009

Further to the feature on the pilot gigs of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in the October 2007 issue it is with sadness that I have to report the death of Ralph Bird who almost single handedly ensured that these wonderful historic craft were not only preserved and restored but by also creating competitive racing of them his enthusiasm and dedication has resulted in gig clubs being established not just in the traditional waters of SW England but increasing world wide.

Ralph Bird’s coffin being towed through the streets of Truro       Photo: David Barnicoat

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EDITORIAL OCTOBER 2009

EDITORIAL

As I predicted in the July issue, the operators of the Cosco Busan, Fleet Managment, have come to an agreement with the prosecutors to make an out of court settlement of a fine rather than face a court case and possible jail term. Read the rest of this entry »

Pensions News October 2009

Well here we are racing towards winter, with summer only a fond memory.  Actually there really is not a lot that was memorable about last summer’s weather! Read the rest of this entry »

Thames Barge Match: Pilotage skills win the day!

T

Saturday 13th June saw 14 traditional barges assemble for the 79th Thames Sailing Race (or “Match” in sailing barge terms).

Barge pic 1

PLA pilot Chris Spurling on the helm with skipper Richard Tichener

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Pilot Training: Letter from T. Purvis

Reading an article in the New Zealand Pilot magazine ,it was raising the point of where the next generation of NZ pilots would come from. Read the rest of this entry »

Liverpool Retirements: Letter from Barrie Youde

No 4 William M Clarke Inspection Day

S.S. William M Clarke: Cutter No4 on inspection day. c. 1937

Photo: Liverpool Pilots’ Archives

John Curry’s article on the retirement of Stuart Wood, Geoff Rafferty and John himself marks both a vintage year at Liverpool and nothing less than the end of an era in pilotage, quite possibly throughout the entire world.

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Pilots’ Golfing Society

Golf pic 1

L-R: I Leask, D. Fortnum. M. Love. P. Pullen

The 34th meeting of the Marine pilots golfing society took place at Hollins Hall just outside Leeds on  Sunday 6th September to Tuesday 8th September 2009. Read the rest of this entry »

SS fort Camosun & Japanese submarine I-25

The late ex Manchester pilot, John Law whose obituary appears here was on board the SS Fort Camosun when it was torpedoed of the NW Coast USA by the Japanese submarine I-25. The following is his first hand account of the action.

“We got off in Vancouver then made the short journey across the straits to Victoria, where the SS Fort Camosun was being built. Read the rest of this entry »

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