PORT OF BRISTOL TALK FOR SEVERN UNIT

Severn Unit members had a fascinating meeting when former Deputy Haven Master for the Port of Bristol and Port Hydrographer Mark Burrows was their guest speaker and he brought along a presentation and answered many questions.

Head of Unit Nic Price said “During the evening Mark outlined his career as a Hydrographer which had taken him all over the world surveying the sea and sea-bed before spending 24 years at the Port of Bristol. Mark also covered the history of the Port of Bristol from Roman times right through to the present day when after Avonmouth Dock was built in 1877 and further extended in 1908. Coal was then one of the main commodities shipped. In 1977 after Royal Portbury Dock was opened the port can now accommodate much bigger container ships, of up to 130,000 tonnes, and has a large trade in the import and export of motor vehicles. It also offers berths to a number of cruise liners throughout the year.”