AN OFFICER and a gentleman with a passion for the welfare of seafarers is how Nigel Porteous OAM is being remembered by the maritime community.
Captain Porteous, who lived in Melbourne, died on Thursday 4 December after a long illness.
Image: Mission to Seafarers
His maritime career was extensive and dates back many years, a notable recent example being his time with ship management company ASP Ships.
Melbourne branch manager for The Company of Master Mariners of Australia (COMMA), Francis Castellino, was among those to pay tribute.
“Nigel was truly an officer and a gentleman. His many years on Branch Court, guided us youngsters and encouraged us in our endeavours to promote [COMMA],” Captain Castellino said.
“His philanthropy and his passion for the Mission to Seafarers too, was phenomenal.”
Even in recent years as his health declined, Captain Porteous continued to attend COMMA and Mission to Seafarers Victoria events.
“Some of us were privileged to meet him one last time at the seafarer service in October,” Captain Castellino said.
Mission to Seafarers regional director for Australia and Papua New Guinea, Sue Dight, said in Nigel Porteous “we saw real kindness, a steady, generous man, and a ready smile”.
“We carry his warmth forward in our memories and in the work he inspired in caring for seafarers and the Mission to Seafarers in Melbourne,” Ms Dight said.
Former head of the Melbourne Mission Andrea Fleming said Captain Porteous “lived with an infectious exuberance, he cared deeply and laughed generously”.
“He saw potential in everyone, and in doing so left us all richer for having known him,” Ms Fleming said.
A memorial service is expected at the Melbourne Mission in the New Year.