06.03.2009

Peter Pilots Port Team

A sea captain is heading the port authority team that helps ships supply the capital with food, fuel and goods.

Peter Steen is the new Port of London Authority marine pilotage manager. He's responsible for 90 Thames pilots who guide 11,000 vessels in and out of the river each year.

Peter's ocean-going career, which started in 1972, has given him experience aboard vessels as varied as general cargo and bulk carriers on deep sea routes, inshore survey vessels, dive support craft, and tugs in the North Sea oil fields.

He came ashore in 1989 to join the Port of London Authority as a duty officer at the Thames Barrier navigation centre; moved to the river's salvage team; and then, in 1996, became the PLA's marine services manager.

He's held that post for 12 years, overseeing the port authority's diving, salvage, and oil spill clearance operations.

His new job in the pilotage department makes him ultimately responsible for day to day operations, liaison with shipping agents, transporting pilots to boarding locations, and training new recruits.

Peter said: "The Thames is a lifeline for London and the south east. It's a gateway for goods as varied as fuel, sugar, cars, and electronics.

"Every day of the year, port authority pilots head out into the North Sea in a variety of weathers to board the ships carrying these goods and guide them safely into port.

"I want to make sure the service we offer is efficient and safe for both the Port and our pilots."