Alan Coughlan elected president of the International Harbourmasters` Association
Released on = April 16, 2006, 3:14 pm
Press Release Author = Limerickbiz.com
Industry = Transportation & Logistics
Press Release Summary = The International Harbourmasters\' Association has elected Limerickman Alan Coughlan as it\'s
president - http://www.limerickbiz.com
Press Release Body = Alan Coughlan, harbour master of the Shannon Estuary, is the new president of the International
Harbourmasters Association, (IHMA).
He was elected to the position by harbourmasters from over 30 countries who met last week in Malta
and is the first Irishman to hold the post. He succeeds Rear Admiral Bruce Richardson, CB, chief
harbour master, London.
\"It is a great honour for me personally, for the company and for Irish harbour masters generally,\" Alan
said this week.
He paid tribute to former colleagues who had helped him in his career.
Alan, who will be president for a four-year term, expects to be busy.
\"It will involve a lot of hard work,\" he said.
The executive committee of the association, which includes harbourmasters from the world\'s biggest
ports, meets four times a year, but is also involved in shaping policy and legislation at international
level.
\"We liaise with the European Union on legislation relating to navigation and radio systems and play a
very full and active role in shaping maritime policy throughout Europe,\" said Alan.
As part of his presidential term, Alan hopes to raise the profile of harbourmasters generally.
\"We have members in 42 countries but I would like to see us represented in even more countries,\" he
said.
He cited China as one of those countries.
\"China is opening up and we are anxious to try and make contacts with our equivalents there,\" said
Alan.
He was adamant that membership of the IHMA was enormously beneficial.
\"Any member can post a problem on our web site and within 24 hours can have dozens of replies from
other members giving advice or saying how they dealt with a similar problem,\" he said.
Originally from Malahide in Dublin, Alan went to sea in 1966 as a deck apprentice with Irish Shipping
and subsequently served in all ranks on many ships of the national line throughout the world, eventually
serving as master.
In 1982, he was appointed assistant harbourmaster with Limerick Harbour Commissioners and in 1993
succeeded Capt EK Donnelly as harbour master responsible for the estuary, with the exception of
Foynes.
Following the amalgamation of the Limerick and Foynes ports, Alan was appointed harbourmaster in
2000 by the newly-formed Shannon Foynes Port Company, with responsibility for the entire estuary. - http://www.limerickbiz.com
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Web Site = http://www.limerickbiz.com
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