UKMPG welcomes the formal launch of the Harbour Masters Certificate on 13 November and the achievement of the first five successful candidates who have piloted the new process. The introduction of the certificate is recognition of the vital role which Harbour Masters play in promoting operational safety at our ports. It is also highly appropriate that it is the ports industry itself which has taken the lead in bringing in the new certificate and in developing the underpinning occupational standards, working in partnership with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and with the UK Harbour Masters Association. We now have a flexible and workable system which can be adapted to suit individual circumstances and to respond to future safety developments.