Fond farewells for Nautilus Welfare Fund manager after a decade of dedication

Staff and residents at Nautilus Mariners' Park have paid a fond farewell to its longstanding welfare manager, Mick Howarth.

Mr Howarth, who has stepped down after 10 years at the Union's Nautilus Welfare Fund charity for retired seafarers and their dependants, was presented with gifts and cards from staff and residents during a presentation at the beginning of June.

Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson paid tribute during the farewell event: 'Mick has been exemplary over the last ten years, leading our charity work on behalf of necessitous seafarers and their dependants. He has left behind a great legacy, and I am proud to have worked alongside him.

'Mick as ever was magnanimous in accepting these plaudits, emphasising – as always – the great team he has had at Mariners' Park. Every great team needs a star player, a captain and a good coach and Mick has been all of these.'

Mr Howarth said: 'It's been an honour and a privilege to have worked for the Nautilus Welfare Fund and contributed to the longstanding continuous improvement of the accommodation and services for retired mariners at Mariners' Park. Much has been achieved including the development of the extra care housing at Trinity House Hub; the building of 12 apartments at John Fay House; plus a major expansion of the caseworker service. These and other improvements have, of course, been a team effort.

'Throughout my time at Mariners' Park I have been blessed to have worked with so many staff who go "above and beyond" to support our beneficiaries. I will take away many happy memories of events with the residents, including in particular two royal visits.'

Mr Howarth also welcomed in the new Nautilus director of welfare and care, Andrew Jones. He will take forward further plans for extra homes and offices in the pipeline at both Mariners' Park Estate and the adjacent Gibson Park, where the much-loved Wallasey landmark, Gibson House, a Gothic-style turn of the century property that previously served as a care home for retired mariners, is being returned to its former glory in an investment worth over £10m.