RETIRING: Captain Albert Foord on board the Whitstar Picture: David Barnicoat

Captain Albert Foord, master of the Falmouth-based bunkering tanker Whitstar, has retired after nearly 50 years at sea.

To the sound of a ship's whistle blowing farewell, the pilot boat Arrow escorted the Whitstar from alongside the tanker Challenge Prospect, across the bay to St Anthony's lighthouse where pilot Captain Dave Pickston took up the escort into the Eastern jetty with his launch.

The Falmouth pilots, pilot boat crews and others around the port hold Albert in high esteem as he is a consummate professional seaman and a true gentleman of the sea.

Albert left school at the age of 15 to join Greenhithe Lighterage, where he sailed on converted Thames sailing barges trading around the Thames and Ipswich area. He then joined Bowker King, staying with them for 27 years coasting around the UK and Continent.

During this time, his gained his Thames Waterman and Lightmans licence. A Waterman was someone licensed to navigate and pilot passenger vessels on the River Thames; a Lighterman, on the other hand, worked on barges, carrying goods or wares up and down the river and from cargo ships to shore.

Appointed master at 26, Albert left Bowker's in 1994 when it was taken over by Crescent and he joined Whitaker tankers. An eight year stint stationed in Dover saw Albert responsible for bunkering the P&O ferry fleet.

He has been in Falmouth for the past four years as master of Whitstar bunkering ships in the harbour and bay, a job requiring superb ship handling skills.

Albert, who lives near Rochester, said: "I love Falmouth. We have all worked together as one big team and doing a professional job. I'll certainly miss the port and my friends. I intend to sit in my garden during the summer with my wife Glenis and just relax."

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