Gangway 2/33

1^st August 2007

Friends United 1956 ~ 2007 

In recent weeks, John Wilmot contacted Bluestarline.org. He was on the Timaru Star in 1956-1958 as Second Electrician and said that he was still in contact with  David Mair [2nd Engineer], John Huxley [Junior 4th.Engineer] and was trying to get in contact with any others from the Engineering Department of that time.

Whilst he was in her, they had three different Masters namely, Captains Penrice, Pitcher, and the affable 'Dan’ Dare. The Chief Engineer was Hal Davidson who never allowed any other than himself to make engine movements. At one period they suffered many scavenge fires which were finally put down to using the incorrect lubricating oil. The Timaru Star was nicknamed “The Company Yacht” and was a wonderful sea ship coping admirably with enormous seas on many occasions.

Peter Heathcote has died following a brief but determined battle with cancer on June 6, 2007 in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. He was born in Eccles, United Kingdom on May 12, 1943. He attended the School of Navigation at the University of Southampton in preparation for a career at sea as a deck officer. 

Peter sailed with Blue Star Line as Cadet, Fourth Mate, and Third Mate from 1961 to 1967,before taking off for Canada to sail on self-discharging bulk carriers of  Gypsum Transportation Ltd, running gypsum from two ports in Canada, and one each in Jamaica and Mexico to nine different manufacturing plants on the Eastern Seaboard of the US and Gulf. It was here he was promoted to Master in 1972.

After immigrating to Canada, Peter went back to university obtaining a B.Comm (cum laude) in 1975, an LLB in 1978 and an MBA in 1979, all from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He did much of this study whilst still serving as master. He was also a member of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve during the period 1976-1979. Peter went on to work for the principal Canadian East Coast ferry operator Canadian National (CN) Marine Inc. and its successor Marine Atlantic Inc., in various positions culminating as Vice President, Marine Services.  He then practiced maritime law in Halifax, Nova Scotia with Metcalf & Company before embarking on a new career in 1993 as Regional Maritime Legal Advisor to the South Pacific Commission, providing legal advice on maritime law and policy to the governments of fourteen Pacific Island Countries, whilst based in Suva, Fiji. He is credited with almost totally modernising, updating and, in many cases, initiating the maritime legislation system of the states in this vast region whilst in this position.

Whilst based in Fiji Peter continued his studies and earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Studies from the University of the South Pacific at Suva, Fiji in 1997.  Since retiring from his Fiji-based position in 2004, Peter has continued to provide marine consulting services in many parts of the world. He was, in fact, involved in a major maritime legislative project in Papua/New Guinea when he became ill.

Although Peter Heathcote had a deep affinity for the South Pacific region, he continued to call Poley Mountain near Sussex, New Brunswick home.  His ‘larger-than-life’, cheerful personality and exceptional professional abilities positively affected the many friends and colleagues he leaves behind. Peter never lost sight of his ‘shipping roots’ and was always determined to ensure that developing states generally and island ‘mini-states’ specifically, that depend on the maritime sector, needed special attention. He leaves behind a most impressive list of publications consisting principally of very practical maritime law and policy papers designed to assist states in furthering their maritime interests. Much of this work will be of continuing importance in the furtherance of maritime safety, regulatory and commercial maritime development and national maritime policy in the South Pacific region and elsewhere. In this way, although a remarkable life has ended far too soon, the creativity of an extraordinary career will survive.   

Peter Heathcote leaves behind his wife, son and daughter, one grandchild, as well as his mother and a sister. 

Photographs @ David Bell-Lennan (our resident Newcastle Reporter)

Link: Koyo Maru

Many will remember the long summers spent in Barry Docks during the late 1970’s, when numerous Blue Star vessels were laid up there. It was a result of the ban on trading to South Africa during the “Apartheid” era; consequently the South African Fruit Season was lost. At the time it seemed quite enjoyable, though I can’t think of the reasons now! The ships were tied up on the left hand quay in the far distance, which consisted mostly of coal dust.
Having to drop a passenger off at the nearby Cardiff Airport recently, I took the opportunity of a brief visit. The photographs (unfortunately taken on a mobile phone) were from Barry Island overlooking the locks, only one of which is still in operation.
Like so many commercial ports, it has lost much of it’s trade and has been reduced to an amenity, with new dockside apartments which can be seen left of view. Developed as a coal port in the 1880’s, it grew from a population of a little over 100 and 21 dwellings, to the largest coal exporting port in the world by 1913.
To many people Barry will be remembered for the Butlins Holiday Camp situated just behind the camera position above, which closed in 1986. At the time of the Blue Star vessels, there was also the famous Scrap Yard beloved by railway buffs. It contained a huge number of steam locomotives that had been dumped there after British Rail converted to diesel locomotives. Some were saved and restored to their former glory by enthusiasts.

Other Barry Photographs: Imperial Star , America Star , Andalucia Star , Townville Star and Fremantle Star

Link: Archives ~ Crew & Passenger Lists

Gangway Magazines

BlueStarLine.org

Copyright bluestarline.org 01/08/2007