Women get British navy port shipping controls

The Royal Navy has appointed two women to control shipping in one of the UK’s busiest ports for the first time in 814 years.

While a small number of women carry out the role in civilian harbours, Samantha Clutton and Claire Thompson are the first to become Port Control Assistants in a Naval port.

The pair, both 22 and ex-Royal Navy communicators, will give permission for ships to pass through the small harbour entrance in Portsmouth, Hampshire, and communicate with sailors via radio.

Women have not been involved in port control communications since Portsmouth Naval Base was established in 1194.

The same is true for the Navy’s other two ports – Devonport, in Plymouth, and the Clyde, in Scotland.

The Queen’s Harbour Master has been in overall control of Portsmouth Port since 1970 but ships have always had to signal their intentions.

Centuries ago Royal Navy signalmen would communicate with vessels using flags.

Later semaphore and morse flashing lights were used before the introduction of VHF radio.

Portsmouth’s Queen’s Harbour Master, Commander Stephen Hopper Royal Navy, said: “This is a huge landmark in the history of the harbour.

“The ways and methods of ships communicating with the port has changed remarkably over the centuries, but the one constant up until now was that women had never been involved in harbour control communications.”

Portsmouth is the second busiest port after Dover with more than 90,000 shipping movements a year as well as leisure crafts.

Ms Clutton from Gosport said: “It is going to be a challenge but I’m looking forward to playing a key role in harbour safety. I know that my Navy background will be invaluable.”

Ms Thompson, also from Gosport, added: “Working in a male-dominated environment will be nothing new for me with my Navy background – this will be a very interesting job and also a very important one in the day-to-day workings of the harbour.”