Port of Lancaster appoints new harbour master

By Tim Aldred

06 Jul 2023

Carl Bower Port Of Lancaster

Carl Bower has been appointed as the new harbour master at the Port of Lancaster.

Carl brings nearly four decades of marine experience to the role, and his long connection to the sea stretches back to previous generations of his family involved in shrimping, cockling and fishing. His first job was as a shipwright with Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd (Submarine construction).

He then worked for companies specialising in dredging and large marine engineering and civil construction projects, land reclamation, pipe and cable laying and capital dredge works.

In the last 29 years Carl has been at Associated British Ports in Barrow holding various positions including Class 1 Pilot unlimited which also included piloting submarines.

Carl said: "The simplest way to describe my role is that I oversee, regulate and manage the daily operations of the Port and all that involves. Here at Glasson Dock, we deal with vessels carrying bulk cargo, like animal feedstuffs, fertilizers and aggregates, and general cargoes to and from the Isle of Man.

“The import and export facilities provided at the Port to local businesses, support up to 200 local jobs."

Located at Glasson Dock, the port’s Statutory Harbour Area includes the navigable channel of the Lune, which meanders through environmentally sensitive and protected mudflats and saltmarshes.

Carl added: "This is a tidal port and a busy one at times. My focus is making sure it’s a safe place for everyone to be, including those living and working in or close to the port, the port’s staff, customers or visitors.

"It means being familiar with and complying with a raft of regulatory requirements. Cooperation with different government agencies is important as well as emergency and security planning, drills and exercises. 

“One of my main responsibilities is the safety of navigation. On a practical level I make decisions about when and where vessels come into the port, the provision of a pilot service, using crews and our pilot vessels ‘Gertrude’ and ‘Trelawney’.

“My other duties include dredging, surveying and maintaining the buoys to show the channel’s current position."

Carl takes over the role from Elsabe White, chief executive officer. She said: "The harbour master is a vitally important role and we are really pleased to have Carl join us. It’s an exciting time for us, with projects planned to enhance the harbour facilities for everyone. We look forward to working with Carl as we deliver our five-year strategy.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family The Villa Wrea Green courtesy of The Villa Wrea Green

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family

16 Sep 2025

2

Fourth Lancashire Bodycare store to shut Nick Holloway of administrators Interpath

Fourth Lancashire Bodycare store to shut

16 Sep 2025

3

Family business relocates in Blackburn Tristar relocation

Family business relocates in Blackburn

16 Sep 2025

4

Taste Lancashire Producer Awards 2026 open for applications Taste Lancashire Producers awards

Taste Lancashire Producer Awards 2026 open for applications

15 Sep 2025

5

Stuart Buckley appointed head of sales and account management at Netcentrix Stuart Buckley

Stuart Buckley appointed head of sales and account management at Netcentrix

15 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Business Breakfast Networking Event
business workshop photo.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

Business Breakfast Networking Event

Media Factory, University of Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 10:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Ladies Lunch
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
18 Sep 2025 - 18 Sep 2025

Ladies Lunch

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

12:00 - 16:00

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25
Metris 25.09.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin