A former Commanding Officer with the Royal Navy has been appointed the new Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven.

Mike Ryan took up the role of Marine Director/Harbourmaster on 29th August and brings with him extensive experience of delivering operations safely and successfully worldwide, and in complex situations.

In recent years Mike has held senior positions on shore with responsibility for over 600 personnel, covering all aspects of maritime and aviation management. At sea, as a Master Mariner, he was Commanding Officer on board Royal Navy mine hunters and, in a Service career spanning almost 30 years, has served on a wide variety of ships including aircraft carriers.

Commenting on the new role, Mike said “I am delighted to be joining the Port at this exciting time and am really looking forward to working with the team, and wider stakeholders, to ensure Milford Haven’s continuing status as one of the UK’s most strategically important ports.”

Alec Don, Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven, said “We’re delighted that Mike has joined us. There is so much happening within the Port so it’s a great time for him to take on this esteemed role. Mike has a wealth of experience within the maritime industry and has already fitted in well during the handover period.”

Bill Hirst, the Port’s outgoing Harbourmaster, will retire at the end of October after almost 18 years service. 

-Ends-


Photo caption: Mike Ryan, the Port of Milford Haven’s new Harbourmaster

 

Notes to Editors

Port of Milford Haven

The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas.  It is widely recognised in the industry as the energy capital of the UK.

The Port, along with the cluster of energy-related businesses along the Waterway, is a key driver of economic activity in Pembrokeshire, attracting inward investment and supporting over 4,000 jobs.

The Port of Milford Haven also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Dock.  Activities such as cargo handling, ferry operations, fish landing and cruise calls as well as a first class marina are spread across these two sites.

One of the most prominent on the West Coast, the Port is in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only Coastal National Park in Great Britain. It is marked as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and has many areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The Port of Milford Haven is a trust port – an independent, commercially run organisation that has statutory responsibilities governed by its Acts, to maintain and improve navigation and the provision of Port and Harbour services and facilities.  Additionally, the Port provides significant financial and in-kind support to a wide variety of local causes.  All profits are retained within the business to fund these objectives.

For further information, visit www.mhpa.co.uk or contact:
Anna Malloy
Port of Milford Haven
01646 696100
anna.malloy@mhpa.co.uk