DAVID Miller has celebrated working for 30 years at Shoreham Port.

He went to sea as a Navigating Cadet aged 16 and gained his Master Mariner Certificate before joining the Port as a Port Control Officer in 1986.

When Trinity House ended their pilotage, David was offered the opportunity to train as a pilot at the Port in 1989.

He is now the Port’s Deputy Harbour Master and Senior Pilot.

Pilots play a vital role in ensuring that ships can enter and leave the port throughout the day and night, depending on the tide.

They board each ship and use their expert local knowledge and ship handling skills to advise the master on the best course of action to take.

David said: "I have very much enjoyed working at the port all these years – and still do. The elements on any vessel are always challenging; that narrow entrance concentrates the mind! One can never afford to be complacent.

"I’ve only been unable to disembark a vessel on one occasion. It was a quick job at midnight, an old Greek coaster out of the river but in a snowstorm.

"Fortunately, she was only going to Poole, where we arrived the following morning.

"There are many enjoyable aspects to the role, in particular the thank you from a Captain after a good job navigating their vessel into port.

"Challenging aspects include having to refuse a vessel’s entry due to poor weather conditions. Whatever the circumstances, we are always supported by a closely knit team."