Captain I B Owen ~ 1 February 2017

[Fraser Darrah]

Captain I B Owen ~ 19 February 1930 – 1 February 2017



It is with great sadness that we learn of Captain Ifor Owen’s death yesterday afternoon at home after a very short illness. Our sincere condolences to Clare his wife of 60 years and their family.

Ifor, a very proud Welshman started his career as a cadet with Lamport & Holt Line back in 1946, serving on the UK/ South America and USA/North Brazil trades until his transfer to Blue Star Line in 1953.

Ifor was appointed Master in 1963, he later commanded the pre-war New Zealand Star and came ashore as assistant marine superintendent in the London docks in 1964. With the advent of Blue Star Port Line Management in 1968 he was appointed as one of the port operations superintendents responsible for the joint operations of Blue Star and Port Line vessels on the Australasian services.

In 1969 he accepted the position of cargo superintendent in New Zealand with the newly formed Blue Star Port Lines (NZ) and was posted to their head office in Wellington. As both Blue Star and Port Lines services to Europe/ECNA were fully containerised by 1984, Blueport ACT (NZ) was formed and Captain Owen was appointed marine operations manager within the new company, which was responsible for all Blue Star's agency work throughout New Zealand. This was a period of expansion for Blue Star Line in New Zealand, with the containerisation of the West Coast Service and the beginning of the Middle East Service, and Captain Owen was closely involved in planning the operational side of these new ventures.

In 1989, with the acquisition of the Shipping Corporation of New Zealand by ACT(A), the New Zealand Line was formed to replace Blueport ACT and Captain Owen became responsible for the ship management division within this new company.

Although Ifor retired in1991 after 45 years’ service to Blue Star Line and the associated companies he kept in touch with his former colleagues with regular weekly meetings at the Featherston Arms in Wellington. He was also responsible for instigating the bi-annual trans-Tasman Blue Star Line reunions being held since 2005.

Ifor maintained relatively good health with an excellent memory. Having a keen interest in history he was a fount of knowledge when it came to the Blue Star Line and the maritime industry in general – he will be sorely missed.

Peter Stacey

details of his funeral have now been confirmed.

Vigil of prayer and memories will be held on Tuesday 7 February at 7.00pm

At:
St Francis de Sales Catholic Church
173 Clyde Street (& corner Mersey Street)
Island Bay
Wellington


The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11.00am Wednesday 8 February at the above Church.

This will be followed by internment at Makara Cemetery

Messages to the family to 174 Melbourne Road, Island Bay, Wellington 6023, New Zealand

[george edwards]

Very Sad to hear of Ifor "crossing the bar" and my thoughts go out to his wife Clare and family at this sad time.

I first met Ifor when I joined the Tasmania Star as a junior engineer in 1954, sailing with him for voyages 9,10,11. when he was 2nd.mate.
My first contact was when I was asked to take a bottle of hydraulic oil up to the Bridge during the night. Having come from a brightly lit engine room I was completely blind on the bridge, and couldn't see where to add the oil to the steering wheel unit, Ifor said not to worry give it here, and proceeded to do the job for me.

I will always remember the trips in the lifeboat which he organise to test the engine! Townsville to Magnetic Island for swimming and picnic, Up the river at Brisbane to Lone Pine sanctuary, returning in the dark down the river holding an oil lamp at the bow.
There are so many memories of this time, a time which is no longer, and I will always have fond memories of Ifor. a time when oil and water mixed!
George Edwards.