As part of our commitment to providing safe water access for all workers afloat, we’re sponsoring the Harbour Master Sailing Challenge, supporting Mark Ashley-Miller’s bid to sail around the British Isles to meet every Harbour Master in the UK and Ireland, raising money for The Seafarers’ Charity as he goes.
We recently caught up with Mark to find out how his epic journey has gone so far:
“The fifth year of my challenge resumed on 14th April with a channel crossing to Alderney. I met all four Channel Island Harbour Masters over the following two weeks, with the highlight being a visit to Sark and tying up on the wall of tiny Le Creux harbour.
A long passage of seven days, dominated by northerly winds, took Good Dog and three different crews to the third Crown Dependency of the British Isles. On the Isle of Man, we were welcomed by the Lieutenant Governor in the super friendly harbour of Douglas.
Controlled by the British Crown since 1765, Man, Mann or Manx (take your pick!) has numerous harbours but only one Harbour Master based at Douglas, the remaining harbours having Harbour Keepers. Equally friendly, but my challenge has to draw a line somewhere!
On Sunday 21st May, Ireland was sighted as we headed into the majestic glacial fjord of Carlingford Lough, with the Cooley mountains of County Louth on our port hand side and the Mourne Mountains of County Down to starboard. Landfall was Warrenpoint Port where Harbour Master number 215, Michael Young and his staff who gave us a warm welcome to the Emerald Isle.
The challenge now continues anti-clockwise around Ireland with another 40 Harbour Masters to meet and interview.”
It’s estimated that there are nearly 300 Harbour Masters in Britain and Ireland so Mark and his 34ft Nauticat Good Dog still has a way to go. To support the Harbour Master Sailing Challenge and The Seafarers’ Charity donations can be made via the website or directly on the fundraising page.
