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Captain Richard Eggleton D
As he steps down as interim Harbour Master/CEO, Rich spoke to By The Dart about his career and future plans.
uring these difficult pandemic times Dart Harbour has been in safe
hands with local lad Captain Richard Eggleton. Rich stepped into the breach as
interim Harbour Master/CEO when Captain Mark Cooper retired in September 2020. He’s now handed on the reins to Captain Geoff Holland who took up the role on March 1st. Rich will work with Geoff for a month or two whilst the latter settles into the role. Rich has long sat on the Harbour
Board since 2013 and is also the Senior Pilot for the River Dart, having spent many years operating as a Pilot in the area. Although more than qualified for
the permanent job at Dart Harbour, Rich is looking forward to returning to his Pilot roles not just at Dartmouth but also at Plymouth’s Cattewater Harbour. He also has his own marine consultancy business. He said: ‘I made a conscious decision not to apply for the Dart Harbour Master’s position as I’m happy with my current job. I’ve very much enjoyed the last five months and there’s certainly some reluctance to move on. It’s probably one of the best jobs in Dartmouth. Even the view from the office is fantastic. ‘There were a lot of assumptions and rumours that I’d automatically get it. It’s not that I’m not
interested, I’m just not at that point in my life just yet. ‘There’s a chance I might look
at it again in the future if the opportunity arises but hopefully it won’t come up again too soon, as we all want Geoff to settle in and stay here a long while. Geoff’s moved down from Essex which I think is really good, as he’s bringing a complete fresh set of eyes.’ Rich works full-time as a pilot
in Plymouth and is on duty as the Senior Pilot at Dartmouth when large ships come into the river. Currently, ten cruise ships are expected to visit Dart Harbour during 2021. The Harbour is
“Once, when we were in the South China Sea between Singapore and Malaysia, we narrowly escaped a pirate attack!”
currently busy working out how to accept them whilst being Covid secure for the town. Having grown up in Hope Cove, then moving at a young age to Hertfordshire, Rich has nonetheless always maintained close links to the sea. ‘My grandparents stayed at Hope
Cove. We used to visit all the time and I used to sail with the Island Cruising Club in Salcombe. My first
time at sea was on Provident, which is now laid up on town pontoon. My granddad was in the Navy in his early days but there was no other family member working in the marine industry. I was always set on building a life and career at sea’ Aged just 16, Rich got his first sea job as an officer deck cadet with the Merchant Navy, working in the North Sea offshore oil and gas industry where, at the very young age of just 18 years, he became 2nd Officer. In 2005, he joined the Tall Ship Youth Trust becoming Chief Officer of the “Prince William” and “Stavros S Niarchos”, and travelled the world but regularly visiting Dartmouth. During one such trip to Dartmouth he met his future wife Hettie, at an event at the Britannia Royal Naval College. While working for the Norwegian shipping company, Farstad, Rich was quickly promoted to his first Captain role. Specialising in new builds and lay ups, he worked in Australia and the Far East, where he
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