News - 16/12/15

Cowes Harbour Commission is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Kidd who has taken up the new position of Assistant Harbour Master (AHM) at Cowes.

The newly created role of Cowes Assistant Harbour Master will provide support to the Harbour Master Capt. Stuart McIntosh and his Deputy Rod Hodgson. As AHM, Jon will assist with an array of statutory responsibilities, including port safety management, safety training for the harbour teams, as well as providing an additional authorised pilotage resource for the Cowes Pilotage Area, once his ongoing training is complete. 

Jon began his seagoing career as a teenager aboard the day excursion ships Balmoral and Waverley. After qualifying as an officer of the watch with Hanson Aggregates Marine, Jon spent a number of years with UK Dredging, culminating in gaining the command of the UKD Sealion.

In 2010, Jon moved to join Trinity House where he sailed on all of the corporation’s buoy tenders and lighthouse support vessels, including as acting master of the rapid intervention vessel THV Alert and chief officer of the 86-metre multi-function buoy tender THV Patricia.

Whilst in command of the THV Alert, the Deputy Master of Trinity House awarded Jon special recognition for his actions during the recovery of unexploded ordnance. A year later, Jon was also awarded for ‘services above and beyond the call of duty’ during an incident attended by the THV Patricia in the Dover Strait.

Jon has had strong family ties with the Isle of Wight for several generations and currently lives with his wife and two sons in Newchurch. He joins Cowes Harbour Commission from the position of ISM and Safety Officer at Carisbrooke Shipping.

After a month and a half in the new position of AHM at Cowes Harbour Commission, Jon said: “This is a multifaceted role and I am revelling in the variety and challenges that every day brings. I hope to provide substantial support to the Harbour Master and his Deputy and utilise my experience in marine safety to help ensure this wonderful harbour is a safe environment for all users to enjoy.

“I am looking forward to becoming an authorised pilot,” Jon added, “and also gaining experience at the coalface of CHC’s commercial marine businesses and port operations so that I can be a more knowledgeable and useful asset to the Commission.”