Liverpool born Ian Mathison is the next trustee to be featured. Born into a family full of nautical connections, Ian says the sea is in his blood. With a shipping career spanning more than 50 years, Ian’s expertise with all things nautical is a real asset to the Board.
Why did you become a Trustee?
Whilst I have travelled extensively around the world, including circumnavigating it on at least three occasions, I was born in Liverpool. My nautical ambitions started at a very early age, even before I probably realised them. Like very many on Merseyside I had relatives who ‘went to sea’ as I was growing up. They nurtured my interest in the sea from a young age. From subsequent research I discovered that in 1796 my great, great, great grandfather was born ‘at sea’ before the ship he was on docked in South Shields. Also, my parents, on the day I was born were renting a flat in 15 Abercromby Square, which is at the top of Brownlow Hill in an area now part of Liverpool University. I discovered that the American financier for the US Confederate Navy, who built the infamous ship ‘Alabama’ in Cammell Laird’s shipyard in 1862, had lived two doors down in 19 Abercromby Square. How many nautical connections do you need?
In my whole shipping career of over 50 years I have only worked for three very traditional and historic Liverpool shipping companies, Ellerman and Papayanni, T & J Harrisons and Bibby Line. Sadly only the latter survives.
The sea is in my blood. This is the reason I became a trustee of an organisation with it’s history steeped in ships and rescues.
What does Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society mean to you?
The Society is an embodiment and example of all that is good on Merseyside. There are numerous other examples but to me the name alone serves that purpose. It is an honour to be part of our rich history and as such a driver to ensure it continues well into the future.
What are you responsible for as a trustee?
The responsibilities of all Trustees within any UK charity are enshrined within UK legislation and are overseen by both the Charities Commission and Companies House. Knowing what those responsibilities are is critical in the smooth operation of the Society. Training programmes are in place to assist all Trustees in performing their duties in a legal and correct manner. From my prospective my role on the Board is to conform with the legislation and to ask questions regarding any matter which requires an answer or clarification.
Do you have a specific area of interest or expertise within the Society?
Having spent the whole of my working life either, sailing and working on ships or managing ships and their crews I feel I am totally familiar with all things nautical. A large proportion of the rescues that need to be considered by the Society for an award have a ‘water’ element.
Is there an act of bravery that particularly stands out for you in the history of Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society?
All acts of bravery stand out. It is difficult therefore to pinpoint any particular one.
Sailing and working on ships has become a great deal safer than it was when the Society was established. With the advent of more reliable weather forecasting and the technical advances in navigation aids ships are not as prone to becoming wrecks as they used to be. As examples in 1858 there were 1,170 and in 1859 1,416 wrecks around the UK coastline with thousands of crew members and passengers drowned.
Unfortunately, accidents, especially around water, still occur and awards presented by the Society mark, in a small way, the bravery of individuals in their desire to prevent the loss of human life.
What do you think is an important focus for the future of Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society?
Most importantly the Society must increase its profile and accessibility in today’s online and digital world. The copious records of past recipients of medals and certificates must be made available for those who wish to see them. It must continue to be financially robust and viable, as without revenue it will not survive.
What is your role outside of Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society?
Immediately prior to retiring from full time employment I was a Director and Board member for a United Kingdom based multinational ship management company with over a hundred SOLAS ships under various forms of management and four thousand multinational seafarers under our employ.
I have been a trustee and Non-Executive board member of a number of nautical organisations.
On a volunteer basis I have served as a Justice of the Peace and as a member and chair of the North West Independent Monitoring Board for the Home Office Immigration Service. Both positions for over ten years.
