Captain Brian Johnston FNI 1931 – 2023: It is with great sorrow and sadness that we report the passing of a long-time supporter of the British Columbia Branch of The Nautical Institute (NIBC) and of the Nautical Professional Education Society of Canada (NPESC). During the past year Brian had experienced medical problems but, more recently, falling down had been the problem. At one time this left him with cracked ribs and later a broken hip. He had surgery for the hip but one week later, on June 3rd, 2023, he passed away.  Brian went to sea at the age of 17 as a Cadet with “Eagle Oil” and remained with that company until he had obtained his Foreign Going Masters Certificate of Competency.

In 1959 he left the sea and moved to Canada, working his way on a ship bound for ports in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. He had to find work and one job he took was as a steeplejack. But ships and the sea were what he knew and in 1961 he found a position on a Canadian Coastguard vessel based in Prince Rupert. He became Master of the weather-ship, Alexander Mckenzie. Then, in 1964 he moved to Vancouver, BC to be a Steamship Inspector and ultimately a Port Warden for the Department of Transport, where he remained for 25 years. He had an extensive knowledge of cargo operations and was known as the ‘go-to person’ in Transport Canada, Ship Safety. He was well-known throughout the marine Industry. Brian was very technically oriented and was often in his workshop developing new things to enhance marine safety.  As a Member of The Nautical Institute, he was present when the British Columbia Branch was formed. In 1995 he was one of the Founding Members of The Nautical Professional Education Society of Canada, one of the first actions taken by the Branch, and had been a Director of the Society since then.
He was a Fellow of The Nautical Institute and an avid supporter (Past Chairman) of the NIBC Branch. Brian was a warm, kind and humble man, He will be sadly missed!