Sandwich Port and Haven Commission (SPHC) has selected Ian Broughton, 66, to oversee the safety and security of the River Stour following the departure of Colin Carr.

Mr Broughton, who lives on his boat on the river, is an experienced sailor with intimate knowledge of the waters.

He moved to Ramsgate 45 years ago to become the RSPCA inspector for the Thanet and Sandwich area before joining the construction industry in Sandwich and east Kent.

He retired in April after 16 years working for FM Conway Surfacing in London.

SPHC has also appointed two new commissioners to work alongside chairman Robert Holden, deputy chairman John Clandillon-Baker, James Blackmore and Harvey Cole for the next term of three years.

They are Nicholas Gray, a retired solicitor and now an author who has published two books and several articles on maritime and yachting history, and Russell Pullen, director of the British Hovercraft Company Ltd based in the town.

'He has all the experience necessary to look after the port and haven' - Haven chairman Robert Holden

Chairman of SPHC Robert Holden said: “I am delighted with the composition of the new board of commissioners and the appointment of the new harbour master.

"This new team is formulating plans to improve the facilities available to boat owners both on the river and on the Quay, subject as always to limitation on the funds available to us."

He added: "We are hampered as to what we can do as our only source of income comes from annual conservancy fees raised from owners of boats kept in and using waters controlled by the commission.

"The new harbour master has all the experience necessary to look after the port and haven and we look forward to working with him to maintain the navigation and other facilities available to river users.”

The commission says it has recently surveyed the entrance channel to the river and made appropriate changes to the navigation beacons and buoys.

A chart showing the new course of the river entrance and the altered buoyage is available on the commission’s website at sandwichphc.uk

SPHC is continuing to work alongside Kent County Council to repair the tollbridge.