Harbours And Their Masters is the untold story of the Harbour Master and the harbours they manage.
For five years, Mark Ashley-Miller went on an extraordinary voyage, navigating 9,000 nautical miles to visit every corner of the British Isles. His mission? To uncover the hidden world of our harbours and Harbour Masters – those dedicated professionals who safeguard our ports and keep maritime trade flowing.
In this captivating book, you’ll join Mark as he visits 310 harbours and meets 256 Harbour Masters. Through carefully recorded interviews they reveal to him their unique challenges, stories and traditions. From ancient ‘Haveners’ to modern-day CEOs, their role has evolved over centuries, yet their influence remains as vital as ever. Whether they’re handling burning container ships, managing storm-ravaged harbour walls or juggling the ever-changing demands of commercial shipping, these unsung heroes work tirelessly behind the scenes.
This challenge has so far raised £30,000 for The Seafarers’ Charity and all author royalties will go to this charity.
Perfect for sailors, history lovers and maritime professionals, the book is a treasure trove of insights into Britain and Ireland’s harbours. It's a detailed account of a journey describing intimate encounters, unexpected adventures and an inside look at how harbours shape our maritime heritage.
If you’ve ever dreamed of sailing around the British Isles, exploring maritime history or understanding the vital work of those who keep our harbours safe, this is the book for you. It’s packed full of over 500 colour photos recording the Harbour Masters met and the stunning beauty of the harbours themselves. Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, has written the Foreword to the book and congratulates and thanks the author for his challenge.
Published by Fernhurst Books as a hardback and eBook, Harbours And Their Masters is available to buy from all good bookshops, websites and direct from www.fernhurstbooks.com. It will be launched at the Southampton Boat Show on 19th September 2025 on the ‘Bookharbour’ stand. Mark will be giving talks at the Show and his yacht, Good Dog, will be an exhibit.
Review
“Perhaps the most awe-inspiring circumnavigation that I have come across.” Sam Steele, author of UK & Ireland Circumnavigator’s Guide
About the author
Mark Ashley-Miller was commissioned into the army at 18 and immediately sent on a sailing course while waiting to be deployed, following which he crewed on army and friends’ yachts. After ten years in the military, he moved into farming and then set up one of the first UK e-commerce companies selling unusual gifts, which he sold in 2017. This allowed him to buy a boat and start planning the Harbour Master Sailing Challenge.
About Fernhurst Books
Fernhurst Books, founded in 1979, is an independent publisher of watersports books. After a period as Wiley Nautical, Fernhurst Books was re-established in 2013 and continues to publish books that instruct, inform and inspire those with a passion on, in or under the water. Its 150 titles range from how-to guides to coffee-table books and cover sailing, surfing, paddling, swimming, diving, fishing and golf.
Latest News & Events
Harbours And Their Masters is the untold story of the Harbour Master and the harbours they manage.
The International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), through its TrainForTrade Programme have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalise their collaboration in advancing capacity building and knowledge sharing for port communities worldwide.
