TWO new pilots have joined the Marine team at the Port of Southampton.

Russell Matthews and Edward Waterhouse have just completed an intensive 13-week training course to become Southampton pilots.

They received epaulettes ,which bear the Southampton pilots colours, from Harbour Master Captain Phil Buckley as he welcomed them into their new roles.

Russell was a Captain for Swire Pacific working offshore based in Asia but he revealed he always had a yearning to work at the Port of Southampton.

“My family is based here and since my career started at Warsash Academy, I’ve seen the ships coming in and out of the port and I have aspired to work here,” he said.

Edward started at sea at 16 and became a Chief Officer on board a superyacht before coming to the port.

“It was very glamorous working on a superyacht but I knew I wanted more. It has always been a massive ambition of mine to be a pilot. “he said.

Both Russell and Edward are now licensed to pilot ships up to 110 metres in length and they are both looking forward to completing a further five years of training to enable them to pilot the largest ships in the world.