Cornish Master Mariner in training as Falmouth Harbour Pilot

Master Mariner Capt. James Gilbert will fully join the Falmouth Pilots after training and familiarisation with Falmouth Harbour. Photo Miles Carden/Falmouth Harbour

Falmouth Harbour has recruited a highly qualified Master Mariner and Marine Surveyor – who has captained P&O cross-Channel ferries – for intensive training and familiarisation before becoming an Authorised Falmouth Pilot.

Cornwall-born Captain James Gilbert will demonstrate his expertise by safely guiding a wide range of commercial vessels – that includes cruise ships, superyachts and bunker vessels – through the busy harbour.

James will be in training until he has completed the prerequisite number of piloted movements to qualify as a pilot in the port of Falmouth – with its 62-square-mile pilotage area extending from Black Head on the Lizard to Dodman Point on Cornwall’s south coast and north as far as the Port of Truro.

Few pilotage careers offer the variety, challenge and opportunity found at Falmouth Harbour with a service operating 24/7, 365 days a year in the first and last major port for vessels transiting the North Atlantic and Western Approaches.

Falmouth Harbour has recruited James to this rare position from an impressive international list of applicants. Completion of his training and familiarisation period will coincide with the departure of Authorised Pilot Paul Smith, who will leave Falmouth Pilots LLP next year after many years serving the port.

Tristan Gurd, Chairman of Falmouth Pilots LLP says, “As we say a grateful farewell to Paul for his enormous contribution to our incredible Harbour, we are very fortunate to have recruited someone of James’ calibre to this essential service. He has worked in maritime industries across the world and has the widest-ranging marine qualifications – and already has an intimate knowledge of the waters and coast around Falmouth Harbour.

“Having worked at sea on both cruise ships and cross-Channel ferries, then as a Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Surveyor, he brings a valuable combination of practical ship-handling experience, regulatory knowledge and maritime compliance expertise.”

Safe and efficient pilotage is essential to the continued success of the many businesses and operators within the pilotage area, supporting the local and regional marine industry. After completing his training, James will join a team of just five self-employed Authorised Marine Pilots – providing a continuous pilotage service, alongside around 37 Falmouth Harbour employees.

During the training and familiarisation period James is demonstrating his expertise by safely guiding commercial vessels including cruise ships, superyachts and bunker vessels through the busy waters of Falmouth Harbour. Photo Miles Carden/Falmouth Harbour.

James says, “Joining Falmouth’s highly experienced pilots’ team is a real privilege. The move gives me the opportunity to apply my seagoing and surveying experience in a role that is both challenging and varied, supporting safe operations across one of the UK’s most distinctive harbour environments.”

As a Trust Port, Falmouth Harbour’s purpose is to manage the harbour safely, sustainably and professionally while protecting and enhancing the exceptional natural asset for future generations. Its operations include the 24-hour dedicated pilotage service 365 days a year, as well as Harbour conservancy and marine safety, environmental protection and emergency response throughout its leisure, marina, commercial and pilotage operations.

For more information on the work of Falmouth Pilots and all other operations of Falmouth Harbour visit https://www.falmouthharbour.co.uk/