Newly promoted Harbour Master Ifor Pedley has worked in the Falmouth Harbour team for the past five years. Photo Falmouth Harbour
Falmouth Harbour has promoted Ifor Pedley to Harbour Master, taking over the role of ensuring the safety and prosperity of the busy Cornish port and its pilotage services from current Harbour Master Miles Featherstone, this will take effect from 1st August 2024.
Miles Featherstone has decided to take a career break and as he departs on his travels, Ifor will step up from his present Deputy Harbour Master position armed with a lifetime of maritime experience and high-level marine qualifications.
Last year Ifor became one of the few Harbour professionals in the country to gain a UK Harbour Master Certificate for excellence in his operations role within Falmouth Harbour.
As a consummate man of the sea with a background in operations management and port marine safety, Ifor undertook the rigorous eighteen month certification and assessment process with Port Training Ltd. Less than 45 certificates have been issued nationally.
“Becoming the Harbour Master for my own home port is an incredible opportunity and I’m well aware it will be both challenging and rewarding,” says Ifor. “Undertaking the Harbour Master Certificate programme was no mean feat, but it consolidated my years of practical experience with in-depth knowledge on all aspects of Harbour Mastering. I’ve enjoyed putting everything into practice and ensuring that Falmouth is a safe and enjoyable harbour for all of its users.”
Ifor takes the Harbour Master lead in what has already been a good and very busy year for Falmouth in both leisure and commercial terms. The harbour will welcome almost 50 cruise ship visits in 2024 and Ifor will be in charge of preparations for the arrival of Falmouth’s new £1.6 million Pilot Boat in September.
“Ifor was already an amazing asset for Falmouth Harbour,” says FH CEO Miles Carden. “While we will be sorry to say farewell to Miles and my thanks for his hard work since he joined us in 2023, I know Ifor will pick up the baton and be a wise and inspirational leader for our Harbour Master team as we work hard for the safety of our harbour users, visitors and wider community.”
Ifor has worked with Falmouth Harbour for more than five years including serving as Assistant Harbour Master for Operations and on the Pilot Boats – and latterly as Deputy Harbour Master.
No stranger to independent study he holds a Masters Degree in Business and as a keen yachtsman has competed in international sailing events. He is also an accomplished scuba diver and has been on and around the harbour all his life.
As Falmouth Harbour Master Ifor will work alongside Miles Carden, with responsibility for overseeing the marine safety management system – a role he combines with that of General Manager for Falmouth Pilot Services. Together they will be recruiting a new Deputy Harbour Master to ensure the team is at full complement.
