Ian Hale joined the premier British shipping company Blue Funnel Line as apprentice in 1961, at the age of 16, and found the perfect seagoing life. Things change however and he was transferred from dry cargo ships to the tanker fleet in 1972. Finding advancement rather less than his ambitions, he left in 1979 to work for a variety of shipping companies, mostly in chemical tankers. He was promoted to Master in 1984.
In 2001, he came ashore and gained SIRE accreditation for all types of tanker in 2002.
Elected Fellow of the Nautical Institute in 2003 and his personal philosophy of seafaring is perhaps best summarised by the following extract from a letter written by Captain Bligh (of "Mutiny on the Bounty" fame) to his patron:
"As an Officer and a Navigator I have ever looked with horror on neglect and Indolence, and have never yet crossed the Seas without that foresight which is necessary to the well doing of the voyage...."
"Bligh" Gavin Kennedy, Duckworth 1978. pp131.
Ian is based in the North West of England and within reach of Manchester Airport.