A lasting legacy for Mark Towens, PLA Harbour Master

Few of Mark Towens' many friends and colleagues from across the river community had any idea that he was battling resurgent skin cancer, when he welcomed Prince William to the launch of the tidal Thames’ first-ever drowning prevention strategy in May 2019.

First diagnosed in 2005, shortly before his marriage to his “rock”, Claire, Mark had, with typical drive and determination, resolved to fight his illness every step of the way. With the constant support of Claire, his family and friends, he did just that.

As inaugural chairman of the Tidal Thames Water Safety Forum, he came to see the multi-agency work to tackle accidents and suicides on the river as his legacy and had personally secured the duke’s support.

Mark was characteristically humbled and deeply appreciative of the campaign to raise money for specialist treatment of his condition, which reached its target in a matter of weeks last year.

His only route for the treatment in Tel Aviv was a flight for Israeli nationals trapped in Europe by COVID-19 restrictions. On landing, he and Claire had to persuade the airport officials to allow them to go direct to hospital rather than go into quarantine.

Born in 1981, Mark lived in Northfleet for the first 18 months of his life, before moving to Gravesend.

A star pupil at the town’s grammar school, motion sickness cut short his dream of being an airline pilot.

He joined the PLA in 1999 as a marine apprentice, becoming ports marine surveyor in 2005. He rose through the ranks and was appointed harbour master in 2014, aged 32.

He had taken particular pride in helping to organise HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee pageant and was a key player in arranging other milestones in the river’s calendar, including the Boat Race and the New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Throughout his career, he made special efforts to mentor young trainees following in his footsteps, inspiring respect and loyalty from them for his commitment and leadership.

Balancing both family life as a father and a recurrence of his illness, he secured a university MBA with customary aplomb.

Mark combined a direct, no-nonsense style with infectious good humour and charm, even when his health was deteriorating.

A desire to always do his best was second nature for him.

As a proud member of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen and Globe Rowing Club, he came second in the 2004 Doggett’s Coat and Badge Race, much to his annoyance.

His teams triumphed nine times in the traditional Thames Barge Driving Race, staged annually between Greenwich and Westminster.

He approached all team pursuits with PLA colleagues with limitless competitive zeal; from crazy golf to ice skating and white-water rafting, victory was always in his sights.

An insatiable thirst for adventure also took Mark on sailing expeditions around the world, including aboard the tall ship Winston Churchill, from the Canary Islands to the Azores.

Cycling, another of Mark’s passions, led him to complete numerous charity bike rides.

A love of American cars, shared with his father, inspired them to import a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro from Florida.

Mark was also a keen fisherman.

Family was particularly important to Mark. When his illness became terminal, he made the most of the opportunity to spend time with his closest relatives, regularly embarking with them on trips and adventures for as long as he could.

He celebrated his 40th birthday with a family dinner at the top of The Shard, overlooking his beloved river.

As his medical condition worsened, it was Mark’s last wish to spend Christmas at home with Claire and his children, Jamie and Katie, which he managed to do.

Following his funeral in Gravesend, (27 January) tug boats on the river staged a water canon display as a mark of respect.

Mark died on New Year’s Day.

He will be much missed by all who knew him.