News - 26/01/21

Following a 23-year career with Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC), Harbour Master and Chief Executive Capt. Stuart McIntosh is to hand over the Harbour Master role on 1st February to Ed Walker, current Deputy Harbour Master Marine Services. The position of CEO has been appointed to Gary Hall, who starts at Cowes Harbour Commission next week with a planned handover of the CEO role towards the end of February. 

Ed Walker joined CHC in the spring of 2017 as Assistant Harbour Master after 15 years working in various sectors of the marine industry. Ed worked in boatyards and on charter boats as a teenager and then as a Deckhand aboard tugs with the Merchant Navy. He completed a cadetship in 2008 with an Officer of the Watch (OOW) Deck Certificate of Competence, choosing to then stay in the towage industry. Prior to joining CHC, his most recent posts were with towage and salvage company Svitzer Marine Ltd as OOW, Chief Mate and culminating in his last year as Master on harbour tugs in Milford Haven, Bristol and Southampton.

In October 2017, Ed was promoted to Deputy Harbour Master Marine Services at Cowes, responsible for the development and delivery of CHC’s commercial marine services and moorings. He also acts as the principal marine Pilot for Cowes.

Retiring Harbour Master Capt. Stuart McIntosh commented: “I am delighted by the Commissioners’ decision and to be handing over the important and statutory role of Harbour Master to Ed Walker who will continue to be assisted by Jon Howden, Deputy Harbour Master. Ed has shown his competence, capability and decisive character and his promotion will provide continuity in the delivery and management of CHC’s overriding priority of safety.”

Ed Walker said: “These are some shoes to fill, however I am looking forward to the challenge. With the Harbour Master and Chief Executive’s role now being split it will allow an even more focused approach to harbour safety and statutory duties. I would like to thank Stuart for his service to CHC and the knowledge he has handed over to me in the time I have been at CHC.”

Photo: L-R: Deputy Harbour Master Statutory Jon Howden, Harbour Master Capt. Stuart McIntosh, Deputy Harbour Master Marine Services Ed Walker.