LONG ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27291, 18 January 1950, Page 4

LONG ASSOCIATION

NEW ZEALAND COAST CAPTAIN F. MACKENZIE The new harbour master and chief pilot for the Port of Otago, Captain Fergus Mackenzie, who will take over from Captain F. G. MacDonald at the end of the month, has had a long association with the New Zealand coast.

Born in London, Captain Mackenzie started his career at sea in 1912 as a deck boy on brigs trading on the coast of England. He also served with the Nelson Line, the Lunds-Blue Anchor Line and the Shaw Savill Company.

During the 1914-18 war he joined the crew of the Maunganui. After passing his second mate’s certificate in 1920, Captain Mackenzie came to New Zealand and joined the coastal service. He was appointed a master three years later, his first command being the Orepuki. Other commands included the Opua, the old Breeze and the Storm.

Captain Mackenzie came ashore in 1930, when he took up the position of master of the Otago Harbour Board’s pilot vessel. He later became piermaster at Port Chalmers and tugmaster, Before his appointment as deputy harbour master in 1945 he was junior pilot of the port. Captain MacDonald, who is at present on holiday, will retire at the end of January.