#PortYachtClub - Pembrokeshire Yacht Club members have strengthened their commitment to safety on the Waterway after securing sponsorship from the Port of Milford Haven.

The club applied to the Port’s Community Fund in order to purchase new navigation lights for their five longboats which are used by the rowing section in Gelliswick.

Emma Gent from Pembrokeshire Yacht Club, said “We are delighted with our new navigation lights, they have allowed us to continue with our training throughout the winter safely in the Haven. We would like to thank the Port of Milford Haven for their continued support.”

Assistant Harbourmaster and Chair of the Community Fund John Warneford, commented “We were pleased to be able to help PYC in securing new navigation lights as it will ensure their boats are well lit and detectable to others on the Waterway. Safety is our number one priority and anything that clubs and individuals can do to enhance their own safety measures is very much welcomed.”

To apply to the Community Fund, please visit: www.mhpa.co.uk/financial-support

#NewDirector - Wales’ biggest port, the Port of Milford Haven, has appointed a new head of operations for Pembroke and Milford Docks, tasked, among other roles, with bringing new business into the port.

Natalie Britton is the new Director of Operations and Commercial at both the ports located in Pembrokeshire. The director will take on the responsibility in running of key areas including Wales’ biggest fishing port - Milford Fish Docks, and Milford Marina. In addition to heading up the largest ferry terminal operation in south Wales at Pembroke Port and developing plans for increased cargo throughput at the port.

“Natalie is a great asset to our team,” said Chief Executive Alec Don. “She has a great deal of local port knowledge having worked both for one of our past customers, Murco, and more recently at Svitzer, one of our key partners delivering port towage services. Hers is a critical role that really can help to deliver the Port’s strategic goals, shaping the future of the port. The Port of Milford Haven is one of the UK’s biggest ports - it handles more seaborne trade in oil and gas than any other.

The chief executive added, “However, exciting opportunities exist within the areas of Pembroke Port, Milford Fish Docks and Milford Marina which, with the right support, could create over 1,500 additional jobs across both sites. High on the list of priorities will be working with partners to improve infrastructure links to Wales’ biggest port. Natalie’s role includes attracting new opportunities, such as renewable energy manufacture and increased cargo throughput, to Pembroke Port, and working with our sales and marketing team to grow the marina and support the regeneration of the fishing industry in Milford Docks.”

Commenting on the appointment Natalie said “This is a great challenge at a very exciting time for the Port. I have spent most of the last decade working by the Haven and know how great a role global economics plays in defining this port’s future and the economic prosperity of the local area. Our challenge is to adapt and evolve and I look forward to leading that challenge head on, and getting stuck into the exciting projects we have planned for the docks in both Milford Haven and Pembroke Port. We are looking to grow the business and work collaboratively with local businesses”.

Natalie is also a keen leisure user of the waterways and looks forward to working with the team to develop the commercial side of the Haven in her new role.

#PortScholarships - The Port of Milford Haven, south Wales have awarded to four students with scholarships which will see them receive a financial award, plus a four-week work placement.

Bethan Rogers, Hannah Taylor, Isabel Harries and Guto Harries successfully applied to the UK’s top energy port for the four scholarships worth £1,500 each. Bethan is from Tenby and studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Portsmouth.

Hannah is from St Florence and is in the first year of a Chemistry degree at the University of Bristol.

Isabel comes from Robeston West and is in her final year at the Royal College of Music and Guto, who is from Clunderwen, is studying Geography at the University of Bristol.

The students were put through their paces by a selection panel consisting of Head of Safeguarding and Learner Services at Pembrokeshire College Maxine Thomas, Head of Education at Pembrokeshire County Council Kate Evan-Hughes and the Port of Milford Haven’s Senior HR Advisor Susan Harding.

To be eligible for the scholarship scheme, students must have spent the majority of their education in Pembrokeshire and be enrolled on an undergraduate course at a British university.

Maxine Thomas said “I have been privileged to be a member of the Port’s scholarship panel for the last four years. During that time I have been very impressed by the calibre, skills and academic portfolios that the applicants possess".

She added "The opportunity presented by the scholarship to the undergraduates of Pembrokeshire is phenomenal, not only in monetary terms, but also more significantly through the placement opportunity provided. Winners of the scholarships have seen the value of this and have indeed derived considerable benefit from it.”

The students will begin their work placements in the summer when they will experience the diverse range of activities and operations that take place at Wales’ largest port.