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Sellafield Director is sworn in as new Consul for Whitehaven
Sellafield Ltd’s Waste and Effluent Disposition Director Mike Johnson has just been sworn in as Consul to the United States Navy for Whitehaven.
The ceremony took place today on Quay Street in Whitehaven as part of the Maritime Festival celebrations. Mike was sworn in by the Mayor of Copeland, Mike McViegh.
Mike takes up the post of Consul replacing Rob Romano who has been the custodian for the past twelve months. The event was witnessed by the Whitehaven Maritime Committee and the festival’s main sponsors.
Having completed a 21 year career in the US Navy ultimately ending as Commanding Officer of a nuclear-powered submarine, Mike is also President of Whitehaven’s Sea Cadet unit, TS Bee.
Speaking about his appointment, Mike said: “It is a great honour to be here today. Having past through nearby waters many times on various submarines from Dunoon, Faslane, Portland and through to Portsmouth, I have great memories of all those visits.
“My goal is to ensure future events such that we navy sailors have those same sorts of memories of Whitehaven. In taking up this position I will do my very best to promote the town of Whitehaven at every opportunity and not just to the United States Navy.”
The purpose of the Consul is to maintain and strengthen the ties between Whitehaven and the Navy of the United States and to ensure that the terms of the Freedom of the Harbour which was granted to the Navy in 1999 are honoured. The Consul is also responsible for enhancing trade links between the Borough of Copeland and the United States of America by using the office of the Consul to assist in networking and the promotion of opportunities in the Borough.
