Poole Harbour Commissioners has appointed Jim Power to join its team of five Harbour Control Officers who oversee the safety of boat movements in Poole Harbour.
With a full maritime career behind him, Jim was at sea for 30 years with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary as a Navigator and Operations Officer, then working for ferry company, Channel Island Ship Management. Most recently he trained and worked as a Coastguard at Portland where he gained significant experience in communications, a task most relevant to his new position.
He is enjoying the challenges that Poole Harbour is already presenting. He said: “It’s a very interesting and varied role, no two days are ever the same. A bit like air traffic control for the water; we are responsible for the passenger ferry traffic as well as commercial and leisure boat movements, ensuring they all manoeuvre around each other safely. We also have to make reports on boat crime, collisions, threats and any other issues which potentially affect the Harbour. It’s a beautiful outlook from Harbour Control at the Port however and our 12-hour shifts mean you can enjoy the amazing sunrises and sunsets all in a day’s work.”
Harbour Master, Captain Brian Murphy, oversees the Harbour Control officers. He added; “We are pleased to have Jim on board who brings complimentary skills and experience to what is a challenging yet vital part of PHC’s work in the Harbour. Knowing the safety of boat movement is in good hands is a reassurance to all Harbour users.”