Nick Gilbert, 37, and Tristan Gurd, 34, are busy settling into their new roles following a three-month training programme undertaken as employees of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners. Now they are authorised they have become self-employed partners within Falmouth Pilots Partnership.
Pilots are responsible for anchoring and guiding ships though Falmouth’s busy waters, and are essential to the maritime safety of the harbour.
Harbour Master Mark Sansom said: “We strongly believe in sustainable, highly-skilled jobs and we are delighted to welcome Nick and Tristan as fully qualified pilots.”
“Pilotage is a vital part of what we do - we run a 24-hour service to control navigation of large vessels. The pilotage area is extensive and includes Falmouth Docks, Falmouth Bay, the Carrick Roads, Truro, Penryn and St Mawes as well as the Helford river, and the quarries on the east side of the Lizard.
“It’s a busy job and Nick and Tristan are both keen and enthusiastic in getting to know their new roles.”
Nick, who has travelled the world as a super yacht captain, grew up in Cornwall and is excited to be back in Falmouth.
He said: “Twenty years ago I sat at Gyllyngvase with my dad watching the pilots go out, and decided then that was the job I wanted to do. Two decades later I have come full circle – it’s quite a romantic story really.”
Tristan has worked around the world on deep-sea oil tankers, before joining Norfolkline Ferries as a chief officer on the Dover to Dunkirk route. At the age of 29 he was made a captain on the company’s Liverpool to Dublin crossing.
“I always wanted to do pilotage and because I was brought up in Plymouth, the West Country seemed the ideal place to do it,” said Tristan.
“I was made captain of a ship at the age of 29, which is very, very young. It was incredibly rewarding and a definite high point in my career – becoming a Falmouth Pilot has topped that. It’s been the best career decision I’ve ever made.”
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