St Ives
May 8, 2019
Safely around Lands End, the sandy beaches of North Cornwall beckon me and Good Dog. The first harbour to appear is famous St Ives, looked after by a really interesting HM, Mike Ridgeway. Mike is also HM of Newquay Harbour, both owned and managed by Cornwall County Council. Harbours are one of three types: Council, Trust or Private. All large harbours are "Statutory Harbours" and Mike explained to me the legislation governing these harbours, and the legal duties of an HM.
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Like many HMs, Mike started life as a fisherman, at the age of 18 he was a Deckie Learner on a Grimsby Icelandic trawler. 3 weeks at sea 3 days at home...that is a tough life. Respect! After various other jobs he became HM of Newquay in 2015 and took on St Ives in 2018. He describes his job in St Ives as being divided into several unique roles. First, the whole harbour is Grade 2 listed, something I had not even thought about before.
The two lighthouse buildings are dated 1770 and 1880 respectively and require careful preservation. Second the general public. Five million tourists visit Cornwall every year, and a large number of them come to St Ives! Mike has to be a very patient man when asking them NOT to jump off the end of the pier just as a boat enters the harbour! Third, he has to ensure all boat activities in the harbour are safe....and of course ensuring the local fishermen have plenty of ice. However the funniest question he has been asked is what time the seals are due in!
St Ives is well known for its art and The Tate gallery. For me the most stunning attraction was the Barbara Hepworth sculpture garden, a quiet oasis right in the centre of the town.
Thank you Mike and assistant Ian for your time and interest.
About the Harbour Master Sailing Challenge: I am circumnavigating the #UK attempting to visit every #harbour with a #harbourmaster #fundraising to #support @Seafarers_UK and their work in the #martime industry, supporting #seafarers and their #families. You can #sponsor my #challenge by visiting the link in my bio. Thank you for your support!
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Like many HMs, Mike started life as a fisherman, at the age of 18 he was a Deckie Learner on a Grimsby Icelandic trawler. 3 weeks at sea 3 days at home...that is a tough life. Respect! After various other jobs he became HM of Newquay in 2015 and took on St Ives in 2018. He describes his job in St Ives as being divided into several unique roles. First, the whole harbour is Grade 2 listed, something I had not even thought about before.
The two lighthouse buildings are dated 1770 and 1880 respectively and require careful preservation. Second the general public. Five million tourists visit Cornwall every year, and a large number of them come to St Ives! Mike has to be a very patient man when asking them NOT to jump off the end of the pier just as a boat enters the harbour! Third, he has to ensure all boat activities in the harbour are safe....and of course ensuring the local fishermen have plenty of ice. However the funniest question he has been asked is what time the seals are due in!
St Ives is well known for its art and The Tate gallery. For me the most stunning attraction was the Barbara Hepworth sculpture garden, a quiet oasis right in the centre of the town.
Thank you Mike and assistant Ian for your time and interest.
About the Harbour Master Sailing Challenge: I am circumnavigating the #UK attempting to visit every #harbour with a #harbourmaster #fundraising to #support @Seafarers_UK and their work in the #martime industry, supporting #seafarers and their #families. You can #sponsor my #challenge by visiting the link in my bio. Thank you for your support!