Rupert reaches the
Harbour master of Portsmouth International Port to retire with deputy set to take over at helm. STEVE DEEKS reports
Ffair to both parties. As time goes on they get to know your character which helps.’
From dealing with gigantic cruise ships, the diversity of the role is highlighted by having to manage boats at the other end of the spectrum. ‘We have rights to detain and sell tiny fishing boats if they don’t pay their fees. In the end they normally find the money,’ Rupert said.
Rupert has also been in the deep end dealing with marine operations where things have gone badly wrong like when a fire broke out on board a Condor Ferries Commodore Clipper in June 2010. ‘There was a fire at the front of the boat which proved difficult to put out. It was a major incident and involved a multiagency response,’ he said.
‘At the time you don’t know how things are going to turn out because we couldn’t get anyone on board to put out the fire. We also had concerns the boat could capsize.’
Sixty-two passengers had to wait in Portsmouth dock for nearly 12 hours while 50 firefighters put out several small fires and removed damaged trailers from the ferry.
Rupert added: ‘It can be a very full-on job and things happen just when you don’t want them to.’
The responsibility is soon to be transferred to Rupert’s successor Ben, born and bred in Portsmouth, who spent his childhood playing around on boats in Portsmouth Harbour.
Ben, 39, first went to sea from Portsmouth International Port as an assistant steward on the Pride of Bilbao, washing dishes and making bunks.