Fremantle Port Authority, also known by its registered business name Fremantle Ports, is the responsible authority created under the Western Australian Port Authorities Act 1999.
Harbour administration In August 1829 the Fremantle Harbour Master position was created and the first incumbent was Captain Mark John Currie, serving for three years before leaving the colony in 1832. He was succeeded by Daniel Scott, who served for eighteen years as harbourmaster until he resigned in 1850. Captain James Harding was appointed acting harbourmaster of Fremantle, upon the resignation of Scott and the position was confirmed in 1852. Harding drowned in June 1867 attempting to assist a sinking vessel, Strathmore, near Garden Island. Following Harding's death Captain George J. Butcher was acting harbourmaster. The position was filled in 1868 by Lieutenant James Nias Croke, who served until 1874. He was replaced by Captain George Forsyth. In January 1880 as a result of the formation of the Harbour and Light Department, the position of Chief Harbour Master of the Colony of Western Australia was created, with Forsyth, the serving Fremantle harbourmaster taking on the position, until he was dismissed in 1886. Charles Russell was then appointed as Chief Harbour Master, serving until 1902.
Fremantle Harbour Trust In 1903 Fremantle Harbour Trust was created by the (2 Edw. VII. No. 17) with five commissioners, three commissioners to be appointed by the Governor with the remaining two positions appointed by the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce and the Perth Chamber of Commerce respectively, chairman of the trust was then appointed by the Governor. The first formal meeting of the Fremantle Harbour Trust Commissioners occurred on 5 January 1903 in the Dalgety Building, the original board of commissioners were R. Laurie (chairman), C. Hudson, William Sandover, A. Leeds, and T. Coombe. At that time resident Engineer of Harbour works was W. Leslie and harbour master was Captain Charles James Irvine, both of whom were present for the meeting. They took over operations of Fremantle pilot services commissioning the Lady Forrest in August 1903.
Fremantle Port Authority The Fremantle Harbour Trust ceased in November 1964, and the (No. 35) replaced it by the Fremantle Port Authority.
Events Fremantle Ports in collaboration with the Fremantle City Council and other bodies holds an annual Fremantle Maritime Day.
Harbourmasters + List of Fremantle harbourmasters Name Start date End date 1829 1832 1839 1851 1851 1867 George J. Butcher (acting) 1867 1868 1868 1874 1874 1886 1886 1902 1902 1916 John Frances Morrison (acting) 1917 1921 Harold Stephens Nicholas 1921 1937 William Raymond Clack 1937 1940 Willie Kenneth Saunders 1940 1945 Albert Ernest Trivett 1945 1953 Forrest H. B. Humble 1953 1965 Alexander B. Brackenridge 1965 1968 John Adams 1968 1972 Robert S. Campbell 1972 1976 Michael Coleman 1976 1986 John Barron 1986 1988 Eric J. Atkinson 1988 2008 Allan J. M. Gray 2008 present
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