Guernsey's Harbour Master has resigned

Wednesday 28 February 2018

Captain Chad Murray has handed in his notice and will shortly be leaving his post as Guernsey's Harbour Master.

Captain Murray is said to be returning to a career within the private sector.

The news was announced via social media yesterday evening, with Guernsey Ports saying his resignation has been "reluctantly accepted".

Captain Murray was appointed Harbour Master, replacing his predecessor Captain Peter Gill in 2013. Captain Murray had previously worked for Condor Ferries and as the Skipper of privately owned vessels. 

During his time in post Captain Murray has overseen many changes at Guernsey Harbours. He was in charge of the island's ports during some key changes which had to be made to meet modern maritime and health and safety standards. He was also one of the most vocal supporters of Guernsey's growing cruise liner industry.

However, some of those changes made while Captain Murray has been Harbour Master have not been always been popular with the public.

Some of the most controversial decisions include the changes made to the way cruise liners are welcomed in the island; including relocating them to the Albert Pier with the knock on effect on pedestrian access, public parking and the associated temporary and permanent changes to the bus terminus, the pedestrian crossing there and the Town Quay, other changes to parking areas around the White Rock and North Beach areas and the agreement to move the Coastguard call handlers from Harbour staff to the Joint Emergency Services Control Centre along with the other emergency services.

Guernsey Ports said when announcing his resignation, "Chad has been a fully effective and dynamic Harbour Master and has actioned many workstreams aimed at improving compliance across many different areas of maritime affairs."

With a notice period agreed, Captain Murray is due to leave his post at the end of May. An advertising campaign will soon be launched to find a suitable replacement.