AT A public meeting in the Scala Hall last week, residents did Brixham proud. The meeting involved 'consultation' by Park Holidays UK, regarding extending Landscove Camp, situated beyond Gillard Road.

They respectfully listened as the developer's chappie outlined proposals intended for Torbay Council's planning department.

From the drawings on display it was evident the site would almost double in capacity, increasing bedspaces from 388 to 792.

On paper, the additional caravans seemed overcrowded, lacking open playing areas, adequate parking or space between each caravan.

Following the main details, sensible questions were raised by the concerned public: Traffic congestion, security, employment opportunities and proper sewerage?

It's well known this site has experienced sewerage problems in the past and 'Joe Public' wanted to know how Park Holidays intended to tackle the situation before doubling the number of occupants.

The camp's representative said they intended modernising the present sewerage system, but that connecting to the mains was a no-no, because of expense. That answer didn't go down too well!

Torbay councillor Chris Lewis diplomatically pointed out Brixham could do with extra tourism revenue.

He reminded the audience of the time the town catered for thousands of 'campers' at sites such as Dolphin, St Mary's, Wall Park etc.

Technically he was correct, but 'back then' Brixham was a smaller community and anyway most grockles arrived by train or coach and didn't crowd the narrow roads leading to the various camp sites with hundreds of cars.

Yes, shops, cafes and pubs would certainly appreciate the extra income, but as one lady pointed out, the real concern is not about visitors spending 10 or 20 quid, but the end result of their spending a penny!

The atmosphere within the hall however wasn't of total rejection.

Brixham folk aren't against development, regeneration or improvement. Neither are they against tourism.

What they fear is overcrowding and pollution, already experiencing more than our share of sewerage problems.

Sitting beside Cllr Jackie Stockman I listened to whispered mutterings about hidden agendas and overdevelopment.

Jackie maintained the Berry Head peninsula falls within an area of outstanding natural beauty; therefore development should only be permitted if it really enhances the area.

This aging mariner has learnt not to argue with strong women!

I suspect if there'd been a vote at the meeting, most people in the hall would have raised their hands against the project.

However, let's trust Torbay's planners place environmentally issues before company profits.

The other morning, walking down for the papers, I met 'Big Lloyd' and his dog Digby making their way up the hill towards home.

We stopped for a moment, remarking on the glorious sunrise spreading exhilarating colours up beyond Southdown.

For some strange reason I felt compelled to walk quickly on and yet further down the hill, with not a soul in sight, stopped again to breathe in the quiet beauty of the sunrise.

My mind drifted back almost 50 years, trading between Jersey and Portsmouth. Some early mornings, rounding Corbiere Lighthouse and heading eastwards towards St Helier, as the horizon began spraying different shades of greys and pinks into the morning sky, I'd ask the helmsman to go make some more tea, rig the pilot ladder and call all hands for arrival into harbour.

Being completely alone in the wheelhouse watching the beautiful sunrise was something treasured.

As dawn began spreading light across the world there weren't really words to explain the gathering emotion.

It was enough to stand alone and quietly experience the miracle of daybreak.

The voice on the phone came from years well astern. "Robert, you seemed surprised people as far afield as Newton read your stuff, but let me tell you we've lived in Brittany for four years and read it every week."

Ah, the power of the internet!

Peter Foster, ex-Paignton harbourmaster (now resident of Paimpol) had rung for a chat. Lovely!

We talked about old times, different ships, events which had changed the Bay and people we'd both worked with.

Peter remembered the lads on the pilot boats; tugman Arthur Curnow and his chief deckhand Tony Tostevin.

We laughed, recalling the many scary maritime moments during the 'lightering tanker' period and chuckled over the different attitudes of various councillors and officers during those times.

They weren't all blundering fools. One occasion in March 1971 certainly stands out; being awakened from deep sleep by the duty boatman saying: "The Trinity Navigator's aground off Berry Head Quarry... are you on your way?"

The loaded 40,000-tonne Chinese tanker with broken radar, calling to embark a Rotterdam pilot, had come inside Berry Head and got stuck on Penny Rock.

After clambering aboard at about 5am, two hours after low water, my first job was to assure the frightened Chinese master (poor English) that he wouldn't be shot by the authorities.

We quickly discovered Penny Rock (a pointed stone) was sticking up into number six tank, but thankfully that tank was empty. So no pollution... yet!

With a strong northerly wind forecast it was evident if we managed to get her off Penny Rock, 36,000 tonnes of crude oil would be in danger of drifting ashore on Berry Head. Pilotage can be such fun!

The coastguards advised tugs from Plymouth couldn't arrive until noon, by which time it would be too late.

Next, a delegation of council officers from Torquay descended onboard causing the poor captain to sob, believing he was being arrested.

Thankfully senior council officer, Derrick Bent, came to the rescue by quietly suggesting: "Gentlemen, let's return ashore and let the pilot get on with his job!"

He was a proper gentleman!

An hour before high water, with the northerly wind freshening, detecting the slightest of movement, after several hairy engine manoeuvres, with the Chinese captain in tears thinking we'd crash stern-first into the high cliffs, the stricken tanker was eased clear of Berry Head.

Sometimes the Gods smile!