Hall of Fame

Recognised for their outstanding contribution

First introduced in 2005, The DCN Hall of Fame inductee is selected by senior members of the Daily Cargo News. Inductees of the Hall of Fame are recognised for their outstanding contribution to Australia’s maritime industry.

Go back

Captain Alan Tait

Captain Alan Tait has contributed extensively to the maritime sector for more than six decades.

Hailing from the town of Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley, Capt. Tait began his maritime career as a cadet deck officer aged just 15, working his way up to being a master, commanding general purpose, passenger, dry and wet bulk ships.

He joined Howard Smith Industries in 1968, and when he retired from the company in 1995, it owned or managed some 19 ships (Captain Tait by then being responsible for 600 seafarers and 50 supporting staff).

Captain Tait was deputy and acting chairman of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and chairman of the Australian Maritime Safety Advisory Committee, and a member of a shipping reform group set up in 1996 to advise the federal government. He also has served as chairman of the Australian Shipowners Industrial Association, director of the Australian Shipowners Association as well as a council member for both Intertanko and Intercargo.