A SELF-CONFESSED newcomer to shipping and maritime safety has taken the helm at the Southampton- based Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Peter Cardy, pictured, is the MCA's new chief executive and now boss of 400 workers at its Spring Place city headquarters and 2,600 more nationwide.

Mr Cardy, 60, takes charge of co-ordinating search and rescue at sea from 19 control centres through Her Majesty's Coastguard as well as checking that ships meet UK and international safety rules.

For 20 years he ran the UK's major charities concerned with motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and cancer and was formerly the CEO of McMillan Cancer Relief,.

Mr Cardy has written and lectured extensively on management and said he intends to use his experience of running complex organisations for the benefit of seafarers.

He said: "As a relative newcomer to the world of shipping and maritime safety, I know I am on a very steep learning curve and will remain there for as long as I am with the MCA.

Honoured "But I learnt very early on about the unique qualities of the people who work in this very special sector, and I feel both honoured and daunted by the challenge of living up to the proud traditions of professionalism, skill and integrity we have inherited. I shall do my utmost to build on that inheritance.

"I have learnt in the past few months what a huge reputation the MCA has, not just in the UK but worldwide, and my aim is to make that position unassailable."

Mr Cardy, who was born on the south coast of England, where he developed a lifelong interest in sailing and the sea, started out working in adult education.

He has been a member of many national and international professional bodies and foundations and in 2001 was honoured with the Charcot medal by the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Association of British Neurologists. Fewer than a dozen have been awarded, all others to senior physicians.

Paying tribute to his predecessor, John Astbury, Mr Cardy said: "John has safeguarded the MCA during a long period of uncertainty and he deserves every honour and thanks and our generous best wishes for what looks to be a very busy retirement."