Dockmaster
Encyclopedia
Within large ports/harbours such as the Port of London
, which consists of all the tidal portion of the River Thames
from Margate
on the south coast, and Clacton-on-Sea
on the north, through to Teddington
, a total of around 95 miles (150 km), plus the enclosed dock systems that may be reached directly from it, the Port of London Authority
's responsibilities were, up to the 1980s when the upper four dock systems were essentially closed, five large enclosed dock systems with literally miles of quayside, that were isolated from the tides by locks. These dock systems were London and St Catherine's Docks, Surrey Commercial Docks
, India and Millwall Docks, Royal Docks
, and Tilbury Docks. Shipping movements in each of these five dock complexes, and within a short distance of the outer lock gates (i.e. in the tidal river) were under the jurisdiction of a Dockmaster and his staff. Each Dockmaster, his Deputy Dockmaster, and his Assistant Dockmasters were fully qualified and experienced Master Mariner
s (Foreign Going). Each Assistant Dockmaster had a marine staff for his watch of about 70 men, so in all, each dock complex employed about 360 marine staff.
Except within a short distance of the outer lock gates of the dock complexes, the tidal port came under the jurisdiction of the Harbourmaster
, who had two Deputy Harbourmasters, and several Assistant Harbourmasters, and other officers, such as Hydrographic, Salvage, and Port Radio. All of these officers too had to be fully qualified and experienced Master Mariner
s (Foreign Going).
Eventually Tilbury Docks were privatised and became The Port of Tilbury
, with their Dockmaster now being titled Harbourmaster.
So, nowadays for example, the former post of Harbourmaster of the Port of London Authority
, and indeed many other large ports, is Chief Harbourmaster
, and recognises that other units on the Thames, such as the Port of Tilbury, now have their own Harbourmasters. The former Deputy Harbourmasters are now known as Harbourmasters.
Port of London
The Port of London lies along the banks of the River Thames from London, England to the North Sea. Once the largest port in the world, it is currently the United Kingdom's second largest port, after Grimsby & Immingham...
, which consists of all the tidal portion of the River Thames
Tideway
The Tideway is a name given to the part of the River Thames in England that is subject to tides. This stretch of water is downstream from Teddington Lock and is just under long...
from Margate
Margate
-Demography:As of the 2001 UK census, Margate had a population of 40,386.The ethnicity of the town was 97.1% white, 1.0% mixed race, 0.5% black, 0.8% Asian, 0.6% Chinese or other ethnicity....
on the south coast, and Clacton-on-Sea
Clacton-on-Sea
Clacton-on-Sea is the largest town on the Tendring peninsula, in Essex, England and was founded in 1871. It is a seaside resort that attracted many tourists in the summer months between the 1950s and 1970s, but which like many other British sea-side resorts went into decline as a holiday...
on the north, through to Teddington
Teddington
Teddington is a suburban area in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in south west London, on the north bank of the River Thames, between Hampton Wick and Twickenham. It stretches inland from the River Thames to Bushy Park...
, a total of around 95 miles (150 km), plus the enclosed dock systems that may be reached directly from it, the Port of London Authority
Port of London Authority
The Port of London Authority is a self-funding public trust established in 1908 by the Port of London Act to govern the Port of London. Its responsibility extends over the Tideway of the River Thames and the authority is responsible for the public right of navigation and for conservancy of the...
's responsibilities were, up to the 1980s when the upper four dock systems were essentially closed, five large enclosed dock systems with literally miles of quayside, that were isolated from the tides by locks. These dock systems were London and St Catherine's Docks, Surrey Commercial Docks
Surrey Commercial Docks
The Surrey Commercial Docks were a large group of docks in Rotherhithe on the south bank of the Thames in South East London. The docks operated in one form or another from 1696 to 1969...
, India and Millwall Docks, Royal Docks
Royal Docks
The Royal Docks comprise three docks in east London - the Royal Albert Dock, the Royal Victoria Dock and the King George V Dock. They are more correctly called the Royal Group of Docks to distinguish them from the Royal Dockyards, Royal being due to their naming after royal personages rather than...
, and Tilbury Docks. Shipping movements in each of these five dock complexes, and within a short distance of the outer lock gates (i.e. in the tidal river) were under the jurisdiction of a Dockmaster and his staff. Each Dockmaster, his Deputy Dockmaster, and his Assistant Dockmasters were fully qualified and experienced Master Mariner
Master mariner
A Master Mariner or MM is the professional qualification required for someone to serve as the person in charge or person in command of a commercial vessel. In England, the term Master Mariner has been in use at least since the 13th century, reflecting the fact that in guild or livery company terms,...
s (Foreign Going). Each Assistant Dockmaster had a marine staff for his watch of about 70 men, so in all, each dock complex employed about 360 marine staff.
Except within a short distance of the outer lock gates of the dock complexes, the tidal port came under the jurisdiction of the Harbourmaster
Harbourmaster
A harbourmaster is an official responsible for enforcing the regulations of a particular harbour or port, in order to ensure the safety of navigation, the security of the harbour and the correct operation of the port facilities.-Responsibilities:Harbourmasters are normally responsible for issuing...
, who had two Deputy Harbourmasters, and several Assistant Harbourmasters, and other officers, such as Hydrographic, Salvage, and Port Radio. All of these officers too had to be fully qualified and experienced Master Mariner
Master mariner
A Master Mariner or MM is the professional qualification required for someone to serve as the person in charge or person in command of a commercial vessel. In England, the term Master Mariner has been in use at least since the 13th century, reflecting the fact that in guild or livery company terms,...
s (Foreign Going).
Eventually Tilbury Docks were privatised and became The Port of Tilbury
Port of Tilbury
The Port of Tilbury is located on the River Thames at Tilbury in Essex, England. It is the principal port for London; as well as being the main United Kingdom port for handling the importation of paper. There are extensive facilities for containers, grain, and other bulk cargoes. There are also...
, with their Dockmaster now being titled Harbourmaster.
So, nowadays for example, the former post of Harbourmaster of the Port of London Authority
Port of London Authority
The Port of London Authority is a self-funding public trust established in 1908 by the Port of London Act to govern the Port of London. Its responsibility extends over the Tideway of the River Thames and the authority is responsible for the public right of navigation and for conservancy of the...
, and indeed many other large ports, is Chief Harbourmaster
Chief Harbourmaster
A Chief harbourmaster is a rank or title given to a senior harbourmaster who is in overall control of a harbour or port authority and in charge of a team of harbourmasters to which he or she would delegate his duties and responsibilities....
, and recognises that other units on the Thames, such as the Port of Tilbury, now have their own Harbourmasters. The former Deputy Harbourmasters are now known as Harbourmasters.
External links
- Port of Tilbury
- Port of London - the website of the PLA.