Mike Sutherland

Course Leader at Lloyd's Maritime Academy

Trainer

Captain Mike Sutherland was Harbour Master and Chief Executive for the port of Fowey for 25 years, before retiring at the end of June 2011. Prior to this he was the Deputy Harbour Master, a Trinity House Pilot in Mounts Bay the furthest south and west pilotage district, and managed a fishing co-operative in Falmouth, where he grew up. His sea service was with the New Zealand Shipping Company, joining in 1962 as a cadet until gaining his Masters certificate in 1972, and the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service based in Devonport serving on cable ships and ocean going tugs, which included the “cod war”. A founding member of the UK Harbour Masters Association, he served as vice chairman on both this and the British Ports association and was also treasurer for both. Mike was the founding chairman of three organisations: SW Ports Association, Channel Ports Federation and Destination South West, the later promoting cruise line business to the south west. He has chaired and remains a member of the Fowey Missions to Seafarers and has been the Hon Agent for the Shipwreck Mariners for Fowey, Polruan and Par since 1984. In Mounts Bay he was a deputy launching authority and emergency coxswain of the Penlee Lifeboat and has been chairman and vice chairman of the Fowey RNLI branch. Mike has been the Chairman of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board‟s south west committee since 2006, previously serving as vice chairman and chairman since having joined in 1995. He is a Fellow of the Nautical Institute and a Freeman of the Town of Fowey. He was awarded an MBE in the 2010 New Year‟s honours for services to the ports industry in the south west.