News has reached the IIMS head office of the sad death of Capt Paul Townsend, who passed away after a long illness fought with courage and fortitude. He died on 28 August 2015 at a hospice on the Isle of Wight, UK. He was 76 years old.
Paul was a Fellow of the Institute and an active member of the IIMS Management Board. Until recent months, he was a regular contributor to that forum. He also regularly attended Certifying Authority training days. He joined IIMS in 2002 and was made a Fellow in 2010.
Paul joined the Merchant Navy as a Cadet with Clan Line, studying at Warsash Maritime College, Hampshire, UK and obtained his Master’s Certificate in 1969.
In 1971, he came ashore to join the Southampton Harbour Board, which later became part of Associated British Ports, as Marine Officer. In the early 1980’s, Paul moved to Kuwait as a Lloyd’s Surveyor and became an advisor to the Kuwaiti Royal Family, assisting in the successful acquisition of a Royal Yacht.
Paul then returned to the UK, revalidated his Master’s Ticket and joined Stena Line as Master for their High Speed Passenger Catamarans. Paul developed a keen interest in the new technology which led him into High Speed Routes worldwide, including Italy to Sicily, Airport to Hawaii City and Vancouver to Victoria Island. Research into a proposed new route took Paul to Gibraltar, where he and his family decided to settle.
Paul subsequently joined the Gibraltar Port Department as Port Surveyor, deputising as Captain of the Port as and when required. Having qualified as an ISM Lead Auditor, he introduced Port State Control into Gibraltar. He was a qualified ISPS Compliant and was particularly conversant with ILO Maritime Labour Convention (2006). He was asked to attend IMO in his capacity as a Fellow of the International Institute of Marine Surveying.
Paul’s cheery, friendly, positive demeanour and wealth of maritime knowledge made him popular with all those who met him. He will be missed by all who knew him.