In his teens Steve started to look into taking up a career at sea. Career advisors were pushing him towards the Royal Navy but he didn’t want to go into the military and became keen on working in the Merchant Navy. Steve found SSTG on the internet and his successful application resulted in him studying at Fleetwood Nautical College and being sponsored by R. Lapthorn & Company Shipping.

However his career path was to dramatically change due to a medical condition which resulted in Steve building a highly productive career in the industry working onshore.

In the year 2000 I had been awarded the Marine Society Top Cadet Award whilst at Fleetwood. Two years later and just as I was finishing off my Chief Officer’s Ticket I was diagnosed as having Type 1 Diabetes. That meant I couldn’t carry on holding an ENG1 Medical Certificate which prevented me working onboard ships.

Following a really supportive meeting with David Lapthorn the Managing Director at Lapthorn’s, who said he was really impressed with my progress, I was offered the position of Marine Superintendent on a trial basis. I was with them for just over 12 months in that role before joining Saga Cruises in Folkestone. In my ten years with Saga I started off as the Assistant Manager (Operations), then becoming Marine & Port Manager, before being promoted to Operations Director (acting) where I was responsible for overseeing all maritime operations and the company handover to V Ships Leisure.

Steve’s career in the Merchant Navy working in key operational roles onshore went from strength to strength.

When I left Saga I went to work at Disney Cruise Line as their global Marine Operations Manager. I was based in London and travelled extensively around the world, before being offered the job of Head of Marine Operations at the Port of Dover. I was then promoted to the position of General Manager, Marine & Harbour Master for Dover, a position I held for just over three years.

Steve furthered his career when he was appointed Harbour Master at Southampton. His responsibilities in managing port operations are far reaching.

I manage all aspects of marine safety within the Statutory and Competent Harbour Authority areas of Southampton. This includes the pilotage and VTS services for ships making sure they arrive and depart safely. Basically anything that happens within the water space (covering 264 square nautical miles) come through my office for approval. This includes additional large recreational events such as Cowes Week and the Round the Island Race (around the Isle of Wight) – bunkering, hot work, diving operations etc. So all activities that are taking place within the port.

I make sure that the port at Southampton remains fully compliant with the Port Marine Safety Code which is issued by the UK Government.

There is no doubt that Steve is understandably very proud of successfully building his career onshore associated with the Merchant Navy – despite his health condition having enforced an alternative career to what he had had initially planned. He was keen to expand on the opportunities.

It’s a great career opportunity – there is so much breadth and depth of opportunity in terms of different types of shipping company that can offer cadetships. Places around the world that you can travel to. But also the opportunity once you’ve gone through the seagoing part of your career to then go into a wider variety of roles ashore. There are all sorts of things that qualified Mariners can now get themselves into including for example Maritime Lawyers, Superintendents, Harbour Masters, or Harbour Pilots. These all offer a huge range of different opportunities.