Nick Clarance, Assistant Harbourmaster

A life messing about in boats lands Nick with his dream job

Nick Clarance strikes a friendly and approachable demeanour when I meet him for the first time, in the Dart Harbour offices in Oxford Street, Dartmouth.

‘I love working here,’ he tells me, ‘Dart Harbour is well respected and has lots of challenges for me. I think the team here is brilliant, and each day is different, which is perfect.’

Nick became assistant harbourmaster in April 2010, beating more than 70 applicants to the coveted role.

His love of the water and all things boats began when he was a child in Shaldon, working with his father Chris Clarance – a respected county councillor for the area now – a man Nick describes as ‘an accomplished sailor’ who ran his own Marine business.

‘I got the chance to muck around in boats with my dad having a great time,’ he said. ‘I have an amazing relationship with my father – we are best mates really – and he instilled in me a love of the water and boats in general. Thanks to that experience I became an active outdoors person too.  I worked for my father in his Marine business, and that helped shape what I did in the future.’

Nick got the bug not only for the water, but for working the engines and systems of powered boats. He trained as a marine engineer, and clearly excelled at it, enjoying himself immensely.  

This led him at the age of 21 to join the Fleet Air Arm as a Non Commissioned Officer. He maintained helicopters, and worked with Marine Commandos.

He clearly took part in a lot of their vigorous training, and even ‘saw operational action’ in places such as Seirra Leone- but modestly describes it as ‘nothing like the situation in Afghanistan today – I was very lucky.’

‘I got to travel to some amazing places and work with some amazing people –being in the services for me was a great experience and I loved every minute of it.’

After a ‘great’ seven years he left the forces and was left looking for a role to challenge him as much.

Lauren, his then partner, and now his wife, saw an advert for an assistant harbourmaster position in Torbay. Nick jumped at the chance to apply and was given the job in 2005, working for Captain Kevin Mowat.

‘Kevin is an amazing person, incredibly experienced and respected, who also happens to be a great teacher,’ said Nick. ‘He is a member of the Council of British Ports Association, and is very knowledgeable. He was always very supportive and very good to work for.’

After five years, Nick was thinking he might need a new challenge, when he saw the assistant harbourmaster job on the Dart advertised. It’s a measure for how much he respected Capt Mowat that he went straight to him and asked if he minded Nick applying.

‘He supported me all the way,’ said Nick. ‘It was a great opportunity and I wanted to see if I could take on the challenge. I was so delighted to get the role, especially against so many other candidates. I knew this was a great opportunity which I had to make the most of.’

So what made Nick want to move from Torbay to the river Dart?

‘It’s a deep water port with many cruise ships coming in, there’s a huge variety of vessels using the harbour and there’s many different challenges to contend with – not least the maintenance of 1,600 moorings,’ said Nick.

‘The port has a big history, with its naval associations and of course there’s the Naval College itself. It’s a very hands-on job, which I love. There’s nothing I like more than being out on the river working, though of course there’s a lot of office work too.

‘The port is well respected and internationally recognised, thanks to its association with the Royal Navy. This job is based in a beautiful place and is a great challenge – I love coming to work each day. I’m lucky to have got the role and feel privileged to hold it. The team here is great - I work well with everyone, especially Rob Giles, the harbourmaster who started in October last year. He is a great boss and has as much a passion for the water as I do. ‘

Nick married Lauren three years ago and describes her as ‘the loveliest lady’. He gives an air of being very happy and content in his life – and his professional career seems to be a perfect fit for his skills and personality.

‘Everyone working for Dart Harbour knows how special this place is,’ Nick said. ‘We love it and want to do our best every day, because the river Dart and the people who use it every day deserve it. I’ve never been happier in a role.’

First Published September 2011 By The Dart

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