Shoreham
May 24, 2022
HM 186. Shoreham - a surprisingly large T Bone shaped harbour.
A port since Roman times, a Trust Port since 1760, Shoreham's unusual T shape was created in 1821, when the bank of the River Adur, which ran parallel with the sea for over two miles was breached and the current entrance built.
Now, as you arrive from the sea you have a choice of turning west up the river or turning east into the long deep Southwick Canal. Clever development has created Shoreham Port - with a total of 9 miles of waterfront much of it deep water "impounded" by lock gates.
The Port handles a diverse variety of cargo from the UK and Europe, caters to the local fishing community and leisure users as well as housing 170 diverse commercial tenants. With plans to become a Green Energy Hub in the coming years Harbour Master Julian Seaman explained his whole team of 150 staff take the role they play in the local community and economy very seriously.
Julian is an enthusiast, so facts & figures come fast: 2 million tons of gravel are imported every year for the building trade, a third of all UK Scallops are landed here, the port is home to 1,500 jobs and when Alan Titchmarsh recommended "decking" on the TV - wood imports doubled overnight. He told me since Brexit his name has to be on every bit of import / export paperwork - something he seems to take in his stride.
Listening to his stories on board Good Dog - it is no surprise that Julian got his deep sea fishing Skipper's Ticket aged 21. He clearly loves a challenge. He was once asked, on a "Friday 13th", if a 1.8km long outfall pipe, encased in concrete, could be constructed inside his long canal and then towed out to sea in one piece. Once he realised it was not a joke, he set about making it happen without a hitch.
A final thanks to Julian's wife, who without telling him, applied for his first job at Shoreham while he was out at sea! Julian thank you for your support of my challenge and donation to The Seafarers' Charity (link in bio for my top readers!).
A port since Roman times, a Trust Port since 1760, Shoreham's unusual T shape was created in 1821, when the bank of the River Adur, which ran parallel with the sea for over two miles was breached and the current entrance built.
Now, as you arrive from the sea you have a choice of turning west up the river or turning east into the long deep Southwick Canal. Clever development has created Shoreham Port - with a total of 9 miles of waterfront much of it deep water "impounded" by lock gates.
The Port handles a diverse variety of cargo from the UK and Europe, caters to the local fishing community and leisure users as well as housing 170 diverse commercial tenants. With plans to become a Green Energy Hub in the coming years Harbour Master Julian Seaman explained his whole team of 150 staff take the role they play in the local community and economy very seriously.
Julian is an enthusiast, so facts & figures come fast: 2 million tons of gravel are imported every year for the building trade, a third of all UK Scallops are landed here, the port is home to 1,500 jobs and when Alan Titchmarsh recommended "decking" on the TV - wood imports doubled overnight. He told me since Brexit his name has to be on every bit of import / export paperwork - something he seems to take in his stride.
Listening to his stories on board Good Dog - it is no surprise that Julian got his deep sea fishing Skipper's Ticket aged 21. He clearly loves a challenge. He was once asked, on a "Friday 13th", if a 1.8km long outfall pipe, encased in concrete, could be constructed inside his long canal and then towed out to sea in one piece. Once he realised it was not a joke, he set about making it happen without a hitch.
A final thanks to Julian's wife, who without telling him, applied for his first job at Shoreham while he was out at sea! Julian thank you for your support of my challenge and donation to The Seafarers' Charity (link in bio for my top readers!).