We are proud to celebrate Hywel Pugh, who is one of just twelve recipients of the prestigious Merchant Navy Medal. The medal, one of the highest awards in the UK maritime sector, is presented each Merchant Navy Day to recognise individuals who go above and beyond in their service to the industry.

Hywel’s award highlights his outstanding contribution to training and supporting pilots on the Thames, as well as his tireless work across the sector to improve safety standards, particularly in relation to pilot ladders. 

We sat down with him to hear more about his career journey, his passion for training, and his commitment to safety.

Career Journey

Q: Can you tell us a little about your career in the maritime industry and then how you came to join the PLA?
I joined Houlder Brothers, a British Shipping company, at the age of 17 in 1978. I did a four-year Deck Cadetship, sailing on various ships around the world. On finishing my Cadetship, work was difficult to find as the British shipping industry was going through difficult times. Eventually, in the spring of 1983, I found employment with Crescent Shipping, a British company based out of Rochester, operating small coasters, known fondly as the "Turkish Navy" as they had a red crescent on the funnel.

In early 1989 I moved into the Offshore Industry in the North Sea, firstly onto Anchor/Platform Supply vessels, then onto a Semi-submersible Flotel, where I served as Master and Offshore Installation Manager. It was from here that I joined the PLA as a Trainee Pilot in September 1999.

Q: What have been some of the highlights or defining moments of your career so far?
Piloting the HMM Alegiciras, a Megmax ULCS and at the time the largest container ship in the world, on her maiden voyage into London Gateway in the summer of 2020. A great deal of planning had gone into this visit and all of this under lockdown rules, so it was challenging for all.

Q: Who or what inspired you to pursue this career path? 
Since my coasting days with Crescent Shipping, piloting always appealed to me, but when I went to work offshore in the oil industry it went out of my mind. It wasn’t until 1998, while working in the Mexican oil fields in the Gulf of Mexico and wanting to be closer to home with a young family and a distant family network, that I decided to cast my eyes on some shore jobs.

I still have my Pilotage Exemption Certificate dated 1 October 1988, and one for the Medway. I was very fortunate to work with some great people over the years, and it is difficult to single any one person out.

A nine-to-five job has never appealed to me at all, so becoming a pilot, being home and also getting to play with other people’s toys without the paperwork was, and still is, the best job in the world.

Training and Supporting Pilots

Q: You’ve been recognised for your work in training and supporting pilots - what does that part of your role involve? 
I work in the simulator as an operator and trainer with the rest of the Simulator team. With the trainee pilots this is a hands-on role, as you instil in them good working practices and the safety aspects of piloting on the Thames. With pilot progression and ongoing refresher training, I see myself as a facilitator to their progression.

We are always looking to refine the sessions to assist the pilots in reaching their potential. Working in the simulator has made me a better pilot as I have become reflective in how I do my job on the river, then utilise these reflections to assist others. We are all different and sometimes it isn’t a one-team solution, so adaptation and understanding people is a great part of my role as a trainer — giving them tools to assist in completion of the tasks and exercises which they can take out on to the river and use in the day job.

We always use training as a positive motivator and a smiling candidate at the end of the session is the goal. I also look for progress as the session moves from the first to the last exercise.

I am also a member of the Pilotage Training Panel and spend some time doing revision sessions for the trainees during their exam phase — I enjoy doing these sessions.

Q: What do you find most rewarding about mentoring and training new pilots? 
The six months training is very tough both physically and mentally and on a successful pass and progression to authorisation, the smile on their faces is priceless. For the progression pilots, the conversation when they qualify as Unrestricted Class 1 Pilots — it gives me great pride that they have achieved their potential.

Q: How do you think pilot training has changed over the years, and what improvements are still needed? 
When I started, we didn’t have the in-house simulator or the reviewing system we have now, so it was very much “off you go and see you in six months for the exams.” We have come a long way in changing that with the systems we now have in place.
Technology has moved on and we sometimes struggle to keep up with this, but we must not forget the core skills of piloting such as looking out of the window and using the traditional tools such as radar.

This year we rolled out an in-house Master/Pilot exchange of information course, which has been well received by the pilot body, so we need to continue looking at these soft skill areas.

Safety and Pilot Ladders

Q: Safety is clearly a passion of yours — what first motivated you to focus on improving safety standards? 
I came from a background in the oil industry which, post Piper Alpha disaster, had become very focussed on health and safety — so it was natural for me to continue in this mode.

Q: You’ve done extensive work around pilot ladder safety. For those who may not know, why are pilot ladders so critical, and what risks do they pose if not used properly? 
Pilot ladders are the way we access the ship when it is underway. Regulation is international and it has taken many years to improve these regulations, which govern how this rope ladder with wooden steps is constructed, maintained and rigged by the ship’s crew.

The latest set of international regulations have just been passed and will come into force in 2028, but we are hoping for early adoption by many flag states. An unsafe ladder can kill you and, unfortunately, we do see fatalities every year.

In October 2020, while climbing the side of a ship, I had one of the side ropes on a ladder part on me, so I was left dangling on one side of the ladder. Fortunately, I survived to tell my tale, others don’t.

Q: Can you tell us about the specific work you’ve done in this area — and how it’s made a difference across the wider industry? 
I recently stepped down as Chairman of the UK Marine Pilots Association, and it was through this organisation, CHIRP, and our membership of the International Marine Pilots Association that we helped lobby the industry for changes. It has been a tough battle over the years.

The UKMPA reporting app was a game-changer as it allowed us to gather information nationally. It was adopted by the ports industry and thus gave the industry some teeth to challenge the MCA to support the proposed change. As Chairman, a great deal of time has been spent on this over the years.

Q: What challenges still exist around pilot ladder safety, and what changes would you like to see in the future? 
We already empower my colleagues to say no to unsafe arrangements, but some still use them. We need to understand why and work on getting the message to these colleagues that they should be saying no. The Board and ExCo are very supportive when a pilot says no.

The Award

Q: How did you feel when you found out you’d been awarded the Merchant Navy Medal? 
Very humbled and honoured that my colleagues and peers had nominated me for the MNM. It did take me a few days to process the nomination.

Q: What does receiving this recognition mean to you personally and professionally? 
A great honour and a team award, as I have been privileged to be surrounded by great colleagues and a supportive employer who have allowed me to do the activities outside my core pilotage job.

Q: What message would you like colleagues - especially newer pilots - to take away from your work and this recognition? 
If you have a passion then pursue it. For me this was to improve the standards in safety and training in pilotage, and I have been privileged to do that locally and nationally. So get involved locally and nationally, as they are always looking for volunteers.

Marine Pilotage Manager, Dave Newbury said: 

“Hywel’s dedication to pilot training and safety has not only shaped the careers of countless pilots on the Thames but has also influenced standards across the wider maritime industry. His Merchant Navy Medal is a fitting recognition of a career devoted to improving safety, sharing knowledge, and supporting others.” 

• 180 tonnes of congealed wet wipes – the equivalent to the weight of 15 double decker London buses – are being removed from the River Thames by the Port of London Authority, with support from Thames Water  
• The month-long operation is the country’s first mass wet wipe removal project of its kind
• Environmental charity Thames21 and its volunteers have already collected more than 140,000 wet wipes along the Thames and campaigned to clean up the site

Work has started on the mass excavation of London’s Wet Wipe Island in a first-of-its-kind river clean-up project to further improve the quality of the River Thames.

Led and co-ordinated by the Port of London Authority with collaboration from Thames Water, the operation is removing an estimated 180 tonnes of congealed wet wipes that has formed the island along a 250-metre stretch of the tidal Thames near Hammersmith Bridge. It is expected to take up to a month to complete.

The island, which is about the size of two tennis courts, has changed the course of the river and potentially harmed the aquatic wildlife and ecology in the area.  

To date, efforts to clean wet wipes from this unique natural environment have relied on people removing them by hand. Inspired by the work of volunteers at Thames 21, the PLA decided to take a lead in co-ordinating larger scale action to remove this unsightly and harmful mess.

The UK’s biggest port, which is responsible for protecting and improving the tidal Thames, commissioned an independent ecological study of the site. This helped inform and develop an environmentally responsible plan to use a mechanical excavator to remove the wet wipes on a mass scale.

Thames21 and its volunteers have been monitoring the island since 2017. Their data and research have played a vital role in raising awareness of how wet wipes containing plastic can degrade the environment and harm wildlife. Their data has also influenced Government policy. It comes after the Government recently published draft legislation to ban wet wipes containing plastic.  

Thames 21’s work, alongside expert insights from the PLA’s own hydrography and environmental teams, has proved invaluable in planning the mass removal project.

St Paul’s School, Barnes is supporting the clean-up and giving access to its grounds to allow the eight-tonne excavator to carefully remove the ‘island’ – which is 1m high in places – from the foreshore when the tide is low. The wet wipes and other pollutants will then be taken away in skips and responsibly disposed of.  

This project is part of an ambition to improve river health in the Thames. The PLA’s Clean Thames Manifesto coordinates action across a number of stakeholders towards a clean, pollution free river with a healthy ecosystem by 2050.  

Thames Water recently announced a further £1.8billion investment to improve river health across London, and last year connected its £4.6 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel to support the reduction of sewage discharges into the tidal Thames by 95%.

Port of London Authority’s Director of Sustainability, Grace Rawnsley, said:

“For too long, ‘Wet Wipe Island’ in Hammersmith has been a source of environmental harm and an embarrassment to the capital. Inspired by the work of volunteers at Thames 21, we decided to take a lead in co-ordinating action to remove this unsightly and harmful mess.

“This is the first time anyone has sought to execute a mass, mechanical removal of wet wipes in this way.  

“We want a cleaner, healthier tidal Thames and will continue to work with all interested parties to secure that. And we will continue to bring innovation and investment to help the world’s greatest river thrive.”

Thames Water’s Head of Tideway Integration Group, John Sullivan, said:

“Our purpose is to deliver life's essential service, so our customers, communities and the environment can thrive.  We are pleased to collaborate with the PLA and Thames21 to remove this mass of wet wipes. For us it is a visible reminder of the damage caused by putting the wrong things down the toilet because flushing something non-biodegradable like a wet wipe doesn’t just make it disappear.  

“Blockages caused by wipes are a leading cause of pollution and we remove an estimated 3.8 billion wipes from our network each year.

“We all have a role to play in ensuring that people can enjoy our rivers.  Over the next five years Thames Water is targeting a record £9.5 billion (in 2022/23 prices) of investment across our wastewater assets to meet the demands that come with population growth and climate change.”  

Chris Coode, CEO at Thames21, said:

“Plastic wet wipes have no place in our rivers or natural environment, so it’s terrific news that action is being taken to remove wet wipe island in the Thames.

“This vital move is a crucial step towards protecting the health of the River Thames and its wildlife, as it will reduce the introduction of microplastics into the environment from this site.  

“Thames21 and its dedicated volunteers have been building evidence for eight years. We want to give our volunteers a huge shout-out for their persistence. This has been a massive piece of work!

“Thames21 has been pushing for a ban on plastics in wet wipes. However, we would like to see more systemic change to tackle the issue of plastics entering the environment via wet wipes and other sanitary waste.

“We want producers to get serious about plastic-free alternatives to wet wipes. We ask water companies to increase their investment in screening to prevent wet wipes and other sanitary waste which contains plastic entering the environment. We’d also like to see a step-change in their investments in upgrading sewage infrastructure to prevent overflows. We’d like to remind people to bin their sanitary waste and wet wipes, not flush them down the toilet, so that they don’t enter our wastewater system.  

“By working together, we can achieve great things for rivers, wildlife and people. Let’s do it!”

Fleur Anderson, MP for Putney, Southfields, Roehampton and Wandsworth Town, said:

“This is a huge moment – after years of campaigning, wet wipe island hopefully is no more! It’s so long overdue and very welcome. There was a national outcry at this monstrosity in the Thames – caused by plastic wet wipes, which cause massive damage to our environment and our sewer systems.

“The ban I’ve introduced will mean 3.8 billion wipes removed from the network every year. A win for our waters, sewers and environment!” 

We’re thrilled to welcome Sathar Sulaiman and James Kitney to the PLA as they join us as Trainee Marine Pilots. Both bring extensive seafaring experience, strong leadership skills, and a shared passion for navigation and ship handling. 

The River Thames is one of the most complex and challenging pilotage environments in the world, and we’re confident they will thrive in their new roles. We wish them every success as they begin this exciting new chapter - good luck with your training, and welcome to the team!

Sathar Sulaiman

Originally from India, Sathar began his maritime career as a Deck Cadet, gaining a strong operational foundation on bulk carriers and container vessels. He went on to serve as an Officer of the Watch (OOW) on crude oil, product, and Type 1 & 2 chemical tankers, later progressing to the role of Chief Officer.

He holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nautical Science and completed his professional maritime training at City of Glasgow College, achieving both his Mates and Master’s certification, culminating in a Master’s Certificate of Competency.

Sathar’s interest in pilotage developed during his years at sea, where he found pilotage operations to be the most fascinating and challenging part of any voyage, particularly in complex or busy waterways. His decision to join the PLA was inspired by the opportunity to work on the River Thames, one of the world’s most historic and demanding tidal rivers.

He is excited to transition from life at sea to a shore-based role as a Marine Pilot, where he can continue applying his maritime experience while learning from the PLA’s highly skilled team of pilots.

Outside of work, Sathar enjoys acting, singing, playing competitive cricket during the English season, and travelling to places with rich maritime heritage or natural beauty. He also loves long drives and exploring new destinations.

James Kitney

Originally from Dover, James began his career as a Deck Cadet with P&O in 2000. Over the years, he has gained extensive experience working on ro-pax ferries, tugs, and cruise ships, spending the past 13 years in RoRo freight, where he achieved the rank of Master in 2014.

For James, becoming a Marine Pilot was the natural next step after his time as Master, building on over 15 years of experience handling vessels. He is looking forward to the variety and challenges of piloting different ship types on a daily basis and contributing his expertise to the PLA.

Outside of his professional life, James is a 2nd dan in DNBK Iaido, a form of Japanese swordsmanship recognised by the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (Japan’s oldest martial arts organisation). He also enjoys archery, playing the drums, and taking part in local charity work.

A powerful new safety film warning children and their parents about the dangers of the tidal River Thames - along the full stretch through central London and out to Essex and Kent - went live today, in time for the school holidays and World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July.  

The short film, titled ‘Stay Back, Stay Out, Stay Safe’, is part of a campaign led by the Port of London Authority (PLA), to keep young people safe and prevent accidental drownings in the Thames. The campaign will highlight the hidden risks of playing, swimming, or paddling too close to the river’s edge.

The Thames is a tidal river and can flow at speeds of around 5mph. While that might not sound fast, is quicker than even the greatest Olympians - with top champions like Michael Phelps swimming at around 4.5mph.  

That is why entering the tidal River Thames can be so dangerous. So far this year, the RNLI have already responded to around 1,250 call outs across the tidal Thames.  

Each year we hear tragic stories of people entering the tidal Thames and dying. Often these incidents occur during the warmer months, when the river appears calm and inviting, but underneath, currents are strong, temperatures are dangerously low, and the foreshore and riverbed are unpredictable with hidden drop-offs, slippery surfaces, and sudden changes in depth.

In fact, there are three times as many accidental drownings across the UK on days with extreme heat, compared to a typical summer day.  

Robin Mortimer, CEO of the Port of London Authority, says: "The tidal River Thames is an iconic and beautiful setting, but it’s not a playground. Beneath the surface is a fast-moving tidal river that would overwhelm the greatest swimmers in the world.”

The PLA’s Chief Harbour Master, James Stride, gave the clear message: “Every summer, lives are lost or forever changed because of one wrong step. So please don’t mess with the River Thames: stay back from the edge, stay out of the water, and stay safe.”

RNLI Water Safety Lead, Guy Addington, said: “At the RNLI, our priority is helping people enjoy the water safely. That’s why we fully support the Port of London Authority’s message: no one should swim in or enter the tidal Thames. It’s a dangerous, fast-moving, working river. The safest advice is to stay out altogether. If you want to swim, go to a lifeguarded beach where conditions are supervised.

“If you do enter the water, remember to Float to Live. Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged. Relax and try to breathe normally. Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if you need to. It’s fine if your legs sink – we all float differently. By doing this, you give yourself the chance to rest and recover your breathing. You can then call for help or swim to safety.”

The campaign launches as schools break up for the summer holidays, a period where young people are more likely to be out unsupervised or tempted to seek places to cool off.  

The PLA is working closely with local schools, borough councils, and youth outreach teams to share a toolkit designed to help spread the message and keep young people safe by raising awareness of the real dangers the river presents.

For more information, or to view the film, visit https://pla.co.uk/water-safety

For anyone wanting to enjoy the River Thames safely, the PLA website has information about lots of great opportunities to safely enjoy sailing, rowing, walking and swimming lessons in London, Kent and Essex.

In addition, each year the PLA’s Active Thames programme helps thousands of people to safely take part in activities on or near the Thames. You can find out more on the Active Thames website.