Charlie Wood

Charlie has been a pilot in Fowey since the summer of 1989. He followed his father to sea in 1969. He served from Cadet to 2nd Mate with The British and Commonwealth Group, who owned Clan Line and Union-Castle, amongst others, trading mainly to Africa and the Indian sub continent. With the imminent demise of the group in 1976 he joined Harrisons(Clyde)Ltd., a Glasgow based shipowner and manager with whom he sailed worldwide as Mate in bulkers and Ro-Ro's until 1981 when he transferred internally to Stirling Shipping, operating OSV's in The North Sea. Promoted to Master in 1982 he ended his time with this fine company as the first Master of the Newbuilding "Stirling Esk". In 1991 he was seconded back to Harrisons(Clyde) and achieved his ambition sailing as Master of the 65000t Panamax bulk carrier "Valdivia", taking the vessel from the River Plate, through the Magellan Straits (without a pilot, of course!!) to Tokyo Bay. Married, for the second time, to Cindy he has two children and three step-children.

Will was brought up in Polruan, spending most of his childhood on or around the Fowey River. At 16, he went to Sea with Blue Star Ship Management. After a short spell with Falmouth Oil Services, (Bunker Barges), he joined Stirling Shipping, employed as Chief Mate on OSVs where he spent seven years. In 1997, he joined Serco Denholm (Devonport) as Master and subsequently Assistant Marine Superintendent.

In 1998 he joined the Fowey Harbour Commissioners as Deputy Harbour Master, responsible for many areas of the Harbour's Management. It was during this time that he first gained a limited Pilotage Authorisation for The Ports of Par & Fowey, becoming fully authorised in late 1999. In July 2000 he left the position of Deputy Harbour Master to become a full member of the Fowey Pilots Association.

In his spare Will enjoys walking and runs two boats. He has an interest in local history and is a Voluntary Deputy Launching Authority for the Fowey Lifeboat.

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Paul Thomas

Paul was authorised in January 2004. Although brought up and educated in South Wales, before joining us Paul had lived in Fowey for almost 20 years. Joining straight from school, he served at sea worldwide with the Royal Navy for 22 years. A time which included 4 years as Captain of a fisheries patrol ship and a frigate. When not working Paul can usually be found afloat on the river in his small boat during the summer or pursuing his hobbies of shooting and following rugby during the winter. Paul is married to Jane and they live up river near Lerryn.

Richard Davies

Richard was authorised in 2001 after spending 11 years as a pilot at Boston in the Wash. Originally he served on a variety of deep-sea vessel types with P&O then in the North Sea Offshore Support industry. In 1984 he was awarded a degree in Nautical Studies and worked ashore for Racal Marine as a Systems Engineer before taking up a position as Assistant Harbourmaster at the Port of Boston. There, he was mainly responsible for hydrographic surveying and Port Control before becoming authorised as a pilot in 1990. He is married with a son and a daughter. In December 2006 Richard left to take up a position with SE Wales Pilots; he will be missed by us all and we wish him and Lyn the very best of luck.

Sam Guy

Born and brought up on the Isles of Scilly, the son of a Trinity House Pilot. Sam went to sea at the age of 16. After gaining his Masters F.G. Certificate in 1974 he continued at sea until becoming a Trinity House Pilot at Fowey on 1/1/1976 and on the demise of Trinity House as the licensing Authority in 1988 became authorised by Fowey Harbour Commission. Since joining Fowey Pilots Association Sam has done many and varied jobs outside of local pilotage ranging from relief 2nd Mate, Mate and Master, delivery work, Barge Master and relief Pilot in ports at home and abroad piloting craft ranging from small yachts up to VLCC's, both alongside and to SBM's. Sam married his wife Jan in 1968 and they have two children, both at sea. David is Chief Officer with Andrew Weir and Claire is 2nd Officer with P&O Ferries. Sam retired in September 2006 and he and Jan intend to move back to the Isles of Scilly.

Mike Randolph

Mike comes from a long history of Fowey Pilots. His father and grandfather were both pilots before him. He was born and bred in Polruan, the traditional home of the Pilots and attended Polruan School then Fowey Grammar School. At 15 he left to start an apprenticeship with Clan Line. There he remained until an opportunity arose for a Pilot in Fowey in 1963. At the tender age of 22 he decided that it might be 'worth having a go at' with the notion that if he didn't like it he was young enough to return to sea!

When Mike began piloting in Fowey he had to buy a 20-foot open boat that was used to proceed to sea and board the ships then be towed in to act as a mooring boat. His boat was called 'Veronica' (No 16) and is still used today as a mooring boat.

In the late seventies Mike left Polruan and now lives in Par. His main interests are golf and horse racing. He retired after over 40 years service in August 2003.

Roger Dunn

Roger retired from piloting in 2001. More about his career to follow.

Joel's Retirement

I think I'm right in saying this was taken at his retirement, pictured here with pilots boatmen. Correct me if you know better.

Fred Dunn

Fred Dunn was Roger's father, seen here motoring up the long arm at Par. Note the number of ships berthed. These days only two are berthed here!

On the back of this photo was written, "Proving that beauty may be found in the least likely places!"

Old Dunns

The men in this photo have been identified as follows:-

Standing left to right, William Jackson (boatman to Moses Dunn Jr, thought to be the nephew of Moses Snr and Elizabeth nee Jackson), Moses Dunn Snr, Unknown in uniform,Moses Dunn Jr and Ernest Dunn. The smart gentlemen in the front row are unknown.