Surprise presentation held for Captain Carter following his retirement as Harbour Pilot

Thu, 14 Dec 2023

Tribute was paid today (December 14) to Captain Stephen Carter of the Laxey Towing Company for his role in piloting more than 4,000 vessels safely in and out of Manx harbours over the past 30 years.

Captain Carter stepped down from his role assisting the Harbours division in May before supporting the Department of Infrastructure’s four new pilots through their first summer season.

A surprise presentation took place at the Sea Terminal in Douglas to mark Captain Carter’s retirement, during which he received a number of gifts, including a painting of Douglas harbour, as a gesture of thanks for his hard work and committed service to the Isle of Man.

Harbours Director David Gooberman said: “Captain Carter stepping down from pilotage duties marks the end of a very successful association with the harbours team and I’d like to thank him for his sustained and dedicated service. Today does, however, herald the beginning of a new era with greater resilience among the pilotage team, which Captain Carter has been instrumental in helping the Department establish.”

He added: “Although Captain Carter is now stepping down from pilotage, with his other active harbour ventures he will never be far away. However, it is good to hear that at last he will be able to have a proper holiday rather than being the pilot on call.”

Captain Carter has released his memoirs from over the years. The former Douglas harbour pilot has aptly named the book ‘Pirate to Pilot’. It is “a sort of autobiography” and includes the history of many of the boats Captain Carter has owned.

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