Obituary: Michael James McCormick (1950 -2014)

MIke McCormick

Michael James McCormick was born 17 December 1950 in Ormskirk, Lancashire, and from there moved to Liverpool where he was brought up by his mum with his elder sister Paddy. He attended the Liverpool Institute High School for Boys until he was 17 years old, where he built a colourful rugby career, being offered the chance to be paid to play for a league rugby team. He turned this opportunity down to pursue a career at sea.

In 1968 he joined Ben Line Steamships in Scotland to begin an officer cadetship in the Merchant Navy, working his way through the ranks. In 1973 he attended South Shields Marine and Technical College and gained his Second Mates Certificate of Competency. He then moved to serve with Canadian Pacific Steamships. He stayed ashore as a personal officer until going to sea once again in 1977, the same year that he attended Liverpool Polytechnic to study for his First Mates Certificate of Competency. 1982 saw Mike attend Liverpool Polytechnic College once again to work towards his Class 1 (Master Mariner) Certificate of Competency, after which he became Capt. M.J.McCormick.

During this year he met his wife to be, who would be Jan McCormick by 1986. Together they both raised five very accomplished children during a marriage spanning 28 years. Mike decided to come ashore for the last time in 1987 so that he could watch his children grow up and not leave his family for long periods of time.

In 1988-1989 Mike worked for Nectar Shipping and Projects in London before finally joining the Port of London Authority. He initially trained as a Marine Officer/Duty Officer in the River Division of the PLA to keep VTS watches at Gravesend and Woolwich stations and also as a duty Dockmaster at Tilbury. The privatisation of the Tilbury Dock in 1991 prompted his transfer to the Pilotage, initial authorisation coming in August of that year. Authorisation as a Class 1 pilot came in July 1994.

After appropriate training he resumed his career in VTS in July 1999 as a Duty Port Controller. Since then he served the PLA in the dual role of Pilot/DPC. He also gained VTS V103/2 qualifications. Mike was an elected member of the London Pilots Committee (LPC) for 6 years from 1996-2002 and Chairman for three of those years. During his service on the LPC, Mike represented the London pilots on several external committees and forums and headed a select team at negotiations for pay and conditions with senior officers of the PLA.

He was a very much-loved father, husband and a great family man who accomplished so much in his lifetime. Mike sadly passed away on 28 May 2014 after a long illness, bravely fought. He will be sorely missed.

Kerry McCormick (Daughter)

 

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