CAPTAIN Ray Heath, master of Southampton's luxury liner Queen Elizabeth 2, has retired after 45 years at sea with Cunard.
One of the shipping line's most experienced and respected senior officers, Captain Heath has worked on many of the company's vessels and has been in command of QE2 for the last 12 months, where he was the liner's 21st captain in her long career of 35 years.
After joining as a Cunard apprentice, 61-year-old Captain Heath, who comes from Manchester but now has a home in America, spent the first ten years on cargo ships before transferring to passenger vessels.
He served on Carmania on two previous occasions on QE2, Cunard Ambassador, Cunard Adventurer, Cunard Countess and Cunard Princess before his first command on the former Sea Goddess II.
A total of five previous QE2 masters attended a farewell party for Captain Heath in the Yacht Club on board QE2 before the liner left on a cruise to Norway.
"I will miss all my colleagues and it has been a most wonderful career but I have a young family and I am looking forward to spending more time with them and I know they will keep me busy in my retirement,'' said Captain Heath.
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