Father's Day: Celebrating the PLA careers of both Dad and Daughter

This Father's Day, we're celebrating father and daughter, Graham Negus and Emma Brown. Graham worked for the PLA for 45 years, and Emma is a VTS Officer.

We spoke with Emma about both her and her dad's careers at the PLA:

How long have you worked at the PLA?
I started in 2005, so it will be 20 years in November!

How long did your dad work at the PLA?
My dad worked at the PLA for 45 years before retiring in 2019. He started as a PLA Salvage Diver on salvage craft before becoming Chief Diver in a mobile team covering the whole river. He then moved into VTS where he stayed for 31 years.

Tell us about your career path.
I started dinghy sailing as a child, and I used to go on sailing holidays with my family. My dad eventually bought a yacht when I was a teenager, which he kept in Holland. In 2005 I joined the PLA as Shipping Coordinator before completing the RYA Day skipper practical and theory, as well as RYA yacht masters. I then progressed into the VTS team after doing my nautical knowledge and VTS training.

What do you remember about your dad’s job when you were growing up?
Only that he worked all the time and used to work a lot of unsociable hours. He also used to moan if I woke him up in the day after a night shift! I visited the ops room when I was little and use to enjoy looking at the screens while dad would tell me about the ships he was looking at.

How long did you work alongside your dad in VTS?
Including the time I was Shipping Coordinator, my dad and I worked in the ops room for 14 years together, 10 of these were in VTS. We were on different watches; however, we did get to do some overtime shifts together which I always enjoyed.

How did your dad help you to succeed as a VTSO?
He helped with my knowledge of the river before starting the job and always had an answer if I needed anything. He knew the river so well. Most importantly, he made a better cup of tea than anyone else!

What’s the best part of the job?
There is no typical day/night, every shift is different.