Port of London Authority
De Neumann began having thoughts on the potential for a port-control system while he was the commander of the Vigilant. These ideas followed on from considering such incidents as the accidental ramming of HMS Truculent by the Divina in 1950, the Norwegian vessel Baalbek's collision with the Nore Army Fort in 1953, and the disastrous North Sea flood that resulted in the flooding of Canvey Island, Foulness and the East Coast in 1953. In these and other situations, rescue and intelligence gathering were severely hampered by a lack of centralised command and control, which lead to a lack of situational awareness.
In 1953, de Neumann resigned his command after returning Vigilant from the Spithead Review and joined the Port of London Authority. He immediately suggested that a feasibility study of a port-control system be commenced. He then oversaw its development and ultimate installation at Gravesend, which was completed by 1960.
He served as Harbourmaster, and, after his health deteriorated as a result of his imprisonment in West Africa, Dockmaster at Tilbury.
Read more about this topic: Peter De Neumann
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