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- The latest issues: 327
Obituaries
Obituary: Gordon Coates 1953-2016 (London Pilot)
Gordon went to sea at the age of 16. In 1970 he joined tramping company Turnbull Scott and spent three and a half years with them on a variety of vessels, doing various courses ashore at Tower Hill London.
He received his Second Mates Certificate during this time and later his Master’s Certificate. After that he spent a few years working in the North Sea, but moved on to Rowbotham tankers, trading all over north-west Europe and the West Indies. He then moved onto Stolt’s and, following that, eventually went into pilotage with the Port of London Authority. He gained his Class 1 Pilot Authorisation as soon as he could and would remain with them for the following 21 years, moving up classes and becoming a Duty Port Controller working in the Port Control Centre as a Supervisor and Duty Harbour master.
Besides his family back in Gloucestershire (Lorna his wife and Julia his daughter), Gordon had two great passions in life: Lydney Rugby Club and his allotment. He watched his team play all over the south-east and was almost as proud of the vegetables he harvested.
After the service, Lorna described her husband as an incredibly loyal, steadfast and generous man who
developed a passion for the sea life as a young boy. “He loved being a pilot,” Lorna said. “He especially liked the lack of paperwork but most especially the camaraderie.”
Gordon is survived by wife Lorna, daughter Julia and his two Dachshunds Nixa and Nora.
Hywel Pugh
**********
Dearest Gordon,
What can I say?
One of the best in the PLA.
Of all the pilots I have known,
You were one of the few who didn’t moan.
You took each job without a fight,
Except for Sunk jobs, late at night.
Werther’s Originals, Daschunds and Westies:
During night-time shifts they were the besties.
Without your humour and smiling face
Port Control is a sadder place.
Take care kind Gordon, enjoy your rest;
To have worked with you, I have been blessed.
Elaine Lipscombe,
PLA pilotage co-ordinator
Obituary: Bill Bailey 1928-2017 (Milford Haven Pilot)
Bill was very much his own man, quiet, gifted, independent of thought and action, and a most competent seaman. Read the rest of this entry »
Obituary: Albert Cools 1945-2017 (EMPA Secretary General 1993 to 2005)
Albert followed the usual career path of the Brabo (Antwerp) boatmen and Dock Pilots Company as a boatman, and then in due course qualified as a Brabo Dock pilot in Antwerp. Read the rest of this entry »
Obituary: Raymond Anthony Eades 1945-2016 submitted by Barrie Youde
Raymond Anthony Eades was born on 12th December 1945. He grew up in Liverpool and showed an early interest in birds and the natural world. Read the rest of this entry »
Obituary: Peter Ryder submitted by Mike Haigh
Peter Ryder spent his early life in Cheshire, though he was born In Cawnpore , Northern India. Read the rest of this entry »
Obituary: Peter Ryder
Peter Ryder spent his early life in Cheshire, though he was born In Cawnpore , Northern India. His seagoing career began in 1962 with Reardon Smiths of Cardiff, and later with the Blue Star Line, then with Glen line. Read the rest of this entry »
Obituary: Martin Richard Evans 1937 – 2015
Martin Richard Evans sadly passed away on 28 March 2015 aged 78. Read the rest of this entry »
Obituary: George (Inglis) Oliver
George ‘Inglis’ Oliver sadly passed away on 8th January 2015. Read the rest of this entry »
Obituary: William Hedley Kett 1913-2014
Capt Hedley Kett, who has died aged 100, was a successful wartime submarine commander and, post-war, piloted ships in the
North Sea and on the Thames. Read the rest of this entry »
Obituary: Robert Louis Mann 1933-2014
Robert Louis Mann was born on 16 December 1933 in Beckenham, Kent. Read the rest of this entry »
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