Head of ports steps up as new harbour master

Captain Jerome Davis will be bringing more than 30 years of maritime experience and significant local knowledge to the role.

He joined Guernsey Ports as an assistant harbour master in 2015 when he moved to Guernsey and was promoted to head of port operations in 2018.

Captain Davis said that he has fallen in love with the island during his time here but he has some big boots to fill in his new role.

‘The island relies on its harbours for just about everything, from the safe movement of fuel and freight to smooth flow of passengers, and I am proud to be able to contribute to that,’ he said.

‘While I am well acquainted with the role of harbour master, having served as David’s deputy, I will be gleaning as much as possible from him in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth handover.

‘David has been an excellent mentor throughout his time here – I have some big boots to fill.’

Captain Davis started his seagoing career with BP Shipping and then transferred to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

He entered the ports industry in 2005, initially as a dock master at Port of Tilbury, before joining Portsmouth International Port as its operations manager in 2007 and moving to Guernsey in 2015.

He is a certified HM Coastguard Maritime Search Mission Coordinator and has qualifications in Occupational Health and Safety, Strategic Emergency and Crisis Management. He holds a Lloyds Harbourmaster Diploma and a Lloyds Diploma in Port Management.

He is also a volunteer Launch Authority for the RNLI.

‘Since joining Guernsey Ports, Captain Davis has held the roles of assistant harbour master and, more recently, head of port operations which included overseeing all harbour operational activities on a daily basis,’ said Guernsey Ports chief operating officer Ross Coppolo.

Captain Barker is stepping down mid-August after six years as harbour master and head of Guernsey Coastguard as he relocates off-island with his family.