In his characteristically understated way, Brian Ingpen considers himself lucky to have lived a life combining his hobby, his passion and his profession into one: teaching children about ships.

What should not go unsaid, however, is that Brian spent most his adult life at the forefront of maritime education in South Africa, half of which was as the head of Lawhill Maritime Centre; a boarding house affiliated with Simon's Town School which teaches Maritime Economics and Nautical Science to students aged approximately 15 to 17 and provides them with specialised knowledge and practical skills.

We speak to Brian as he reflects on his childhood amongst the Cape Town docks; his life at Lawhill; and his new book.

Cape Town Docklands: Cameos of Shipping can be purchased by emailing Brian Ingpen at [email protected]

For more about Lawhill Maritime Centre, see http://www.lawhill.org/