A HELSTON based photographer's image of last year's storms at Porthleven has won him a national photographic competition.

Bernie Petterson spent 12 hours up a ladder to get the shot that won him the ultimate view of the sea and the overall winner of the prestigious Shipwrecked Mariner’s Society’s annual photography competition.

This image was used around the world to show the devastating storms that ravaged the westcountry’s coastline in February 2014.

Bernie is an associate of the Sue Bradbury Public Relations agency and a former Chief Petty Officer and photographer in the Royal Navy.

Bernie stood on the ladder overlooking Porthleven harbour for a total of 12 hours during the worst three days of the storms to get his winning shot.

Alongside winning the overall competition, Bernie was awarded first place in one of the five individual categories with an outstanding photograph of a surfer riding a wave at sunset. In contrast to the shot of crashing waves, Bernie captured this image totally by chance whilst out for an evening stroll after being drawn to the beautiful colours created by the fading light.

Bernie said: “I chose to enter these two images as I felt together they showed both the devastating effect of the sea’s power and the way we can work in harmony with it, harnessing it for pleasure and recreation.

“I seldom enter competitions but a fellow photographer encouraged me to enter this one. I’m amazed and humbled to have won.”

Sue Bradbury said: “I’ve worked with Bernie for over 30 years. We met at RNAS Culdrose when I was the Public Relations Officer and he was a Royal Navy photographer. When I formed my own PR agency I asked Bernie to join as an associate.

“He’s the consummate professional, charming to work with, totally reliable and often goes to extreme lengths to ensure the very best results. It came as no surprise when he told me how he’d achieved his award-winning photograph and equally I’m not surprised he won - just delighted his efforts have been recognised.”

The Shipwrecked Mariner’s Society was founded 175 years ago to provide financial support to retired merchant seafarers, fishermen and their dependents in need and to those injured or too ill to continue working at sea. This is the third year the society has run the photography competition and it drew a flood of entries, which were judged aboard the Cutty Sark in London by a distinguished panel of media and maritime experts, including: the Picture Editor for the Sunday Times, Ray Wells; Head of Pictures for the Independent, Sophie Batterbury; Editor of Amateur Photographer, Nigel Atherton and the Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Commodore Malcolm Williams.

Talking about Bernie’s winning entry Sophie said: “The overall winning picture for all of us summed up very much our country’s relationship with the sea and how sometimes it can be very strong and violent towards us and yet we just sit and watch and wonder at its mighty power.”

Commodore Malcolm Williams said: “The important thing about the photography competition is to raise awareness among the general population of how much we rely on the sea and those who work with it every day.

“The competition has run for three successful years now, with an increase in participants every year, and once again this year’s entries were of a very high standard. It was a hard task to pick the winners, but thanks to the professionalism of our judges, who really know what makes a good photo, we were able to narrow it down to a selection of images which we feel truly encapsulate our nation’s enduring connection with the sea.”

Bernie’s prize is a five-day return crossing from Dover to Calais, courtesy of P&O Ferries and a barometer.