Earlier this year, we welcomed Bradley Drummond to the Port of Milford Haven as Deputy Harbourmaster. With a career spanning global shipping routes, cruise operations, and senior harbour roles, Bradley brings a wealth of experience to the UK’s leading energy port.
We spoke with him to explore his career journey, his role, and how he’s settling into his new role so far…
From sea to shore, can you tell us about yourself and your career journey so far?
My maritime career began at just 18 years old, when I joined the Merchant Navy.
I spent the first decade at sea, starting on container ships and travelling extensively, from the Far East and South America to Europe and North America.
My career evolved across different vessel types and regions, moving from container ships to smaller cargo vessels operating in the Baltic and Northern Europe, before transitioning to cruise ships, bringing a completely different experience. Suddenly, you’re dealing with passengers rather than containers.
After my time at sea, I moved ashore, working as a Marine Superintendent for a dredging company. I then became Deputy Harbourmaster in the Orkney Islands, and more recently joined the Port of Milford Haven.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the maritime industry?
The maritime industry offered me a unique combination of experience and opportunity.
It was the chance to see the world and be paid to do it. Through the Merchant Navy cadet programme, my training was sponsored, so I was able to start my career without university debt while gaining incredible global experience.
What’s been your proudest moment in your career so far?
During the recovery period after Covid, I was part of a cruise where every planned port of call was cancelled due to restrictions or weather.
Each evening, we had to find and plan a new port for the following day. It was a real demonstration of how flexible and supportive ports and maritime teams can be.
Despite everything, the guests had a fantastic experience. It was a huge team effort, both onboard and from the ports and agents working behind the scenes, and something I look back on with pride.
Can you share a memorable moment from your career?
One that really stands out is from my time on cruise ships, just off the coast of Madeira. We carried out a medical evacuation supported by the Portuguese Coast Guard.
I remember standing on the bridge as a helicopter landed on the vessel with paramedics onboard, while a Hercules aircraft circled above as part of the exercise. It was a pretty incredible moment.
What attracted you to the Deputy Harbourmaster role at the Port of Milford Haven?
This is more than a port; it’s a national asset. Being a trust port that is so closely connected with its community was a huge attraction. We operate at the sharp end of the commercial world, but we’re equally invested in supporting and giving back to the community.
What were your first impressions when you joined?
The scale of the Port is the first thing that struck me, not just physically, in terms of the waterway and infrastructure, but also the importance of what we do.
Around a fifth of the UK’s energy comes through this port, shift by shift, tide by tide. That really highlights the responsibility we have.
From a people perspective, I was blown away by the connection to the community. There are generations of families who have worked here, and that brings a huge amount of experience and knowledge that I’m still learning from.
What does a Deputy Harbourmaster do day-to-day, and what are you most looking forward to in your role?
It’s about working closely with our marine teams, pilots, VTS, and launch crews, as well as customers and stakeholders, to deliver the highest levels of safety and service on the waterway.
The variety is a big part of what I’m most looking forward to. No two days are the same, with a mix of vessel types, seasonal demands like winter operations, and collaboration across different teams and stakeholders.
Safety is clearly critical in your role, what does that look like in practice at the Port of Milford Haven?
For me, safety is about the actions we take when no one’s watching. It’s about getting the basics right, things like wearing lifejackets, running effective briefings, but also having the confidence to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.
The Stop Work Authority here is a great example, it empowers people to challenge and stop something if they think it isn’t safe.
What skills are most important in marine operations today?
I’d highlight three: honesty, curiosity and reliability.
Honesty is about being able to admit when you don’t know something, or when you’ve made a mistake.
Curiosity drives learning and improvement.
And reliability is about consistently showing up and getting the job done safely and efficiently.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in marine operations?
It’s a really rewarding career, and it’s not just about what’s on paper, it’s about practical skills and judgement.
Get stuck in, don’t be afraid to fail, learn from it, and enjoy your successes along the way.
Importantly, there’s no single route into the industry. Marine operations are incredibly diverse in our team alone, we have people from the Merchant Navy, Royal Navy, police, and those who’ve worked their way up through harbour roles. There’s always more than one path.
To finish, here are a few quick-fire questions…
Favourite vessel?
Container ships, they’re where I have the fondest memories.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee, black, no sugar. Life’s complicated enough, so I like to keep some decisions simple.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
More is lost through indecision than wrong decision.
