Released on = April 16, 2006, 3:14 pm

Press Release Author = Limerickbiz.com

Industry = Transportation & Logistics

Press Release Summary = The International Harbourmasters\' Association has elected
Limerickman Alan Coughlan as it\'s

president - http://www.limerickbiz.com

Press Release Body = Alan Coughlan, harbour master of the Shannon Estuary, is the
new president of the International

Harbourmasters Association, (IHMA).

He was elected to the position by harbourmasters from over 30 countries who met last
week in Malta

and is the first Irishman to hold the post. He succeeds Rear Admiral Bruce
Richardson, CB, chief

harbour master, London.

\"It is a great honour for me personally, for the company and for Irish harbour
masters generally,\" Alan

said this week.

He paid tribute to former colleagues who had helped him in his career.

Alan, who will be president for a four-year term, expects to be busy.

\"It will involve a lot of hard work,\" he said.

The executive committee of the association, which includes harbourmasters from the
world\'s biggest

ports, meets four times a year, but is also involved in shaping policy and
legislation at international

level.

\"We liaise with the European Union on legislation relating to navigation and radio
systems and play a

very full and active role in shaping maritime policy throughout Europe,\" said Alan.

As part of his presidential term, Alan hopes to raise the profile of harbourmasters
generally.

\"We have members in 42 countries but I would like to see us represented in even more
countries,\" he

said.

He cited China as one of those countries.

\"China is opening up and we are anxious to try and make contacts with our
equivalents there,\" said

Alan.

He was adamant that membership of the IHMA was enormously beneficial.

\"Any member can post a problem on our web site and within 24 hours can have dozens
of replies from

other members giving advice or saying how they dealt with a similar problem,\" he said.

Originally from Malahide in Dublin, Alan went to sea in 1966 as a deck apprentice
with Irish Shipping

and subsequently served in all ranks on many ships of the national line throughout
the world, eventually

serving as master.

In 1982, he was appointed assistant harbourmaster with Limerick Harbour
Commissioners and in 1993

succeeded Capt EK Donnelly as harbour master responsible for the estuary, with the
exception of

Foynes.

Following the amalgamation of the Limerick and Foynes ports, Alan was appointed
harbourmaster in

2000 by the newly-formed Shannon Foynes Port Company, with responsibility for the
entire estuary.
- http://www.limerickbiz.com

For more business news or media contacts relating to Limerick contact: Jae Taylor;
Tel: 00353 61 326342 | 00353 86 8518337
Web: http://www.limerickbiz.com
email: info@limerickbiz.com

Web Site = http://www.limerickbiz.com

Contact Details = Jae Taylor
Caherdavin
Limerick , na
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0035361326342
info@limerickbiz.com
http://www.limerickbiz.com