30 Nov 1949 - 4 Jul 2008

Born Brenton Michael Power, formally known to his comrades as Mick or Big Mick, in the late 80s he officially changed his name to Mick Power.

A life member of his Union, Mick commenced his career as a merchant seaman at the age of 16, sailing out of his home town, Port Adelaide.

He was persistent with shipping agents from the age of 14, keen to pursue career at sea, just like his older brother, Denis Power.

The first ship he joined was a ketch named Nelcebee where he developed exceptional rope splicing, sewing and mending skills that served him throughout his life.

The Nelcebee carried cargoes of grain (wheat and barley) and minerals throughout the two gulfs of South Australia.

Mick met his wife, Christine, at an RSL club in Newcastle and together had a son, Jason, in April 1973.

Mick chose to join the Blythe Starso that he could be home more often with his wife and son, but was concerned about the smaller sized vessel after having worked on larger ships.

After recovering from his injuries, Mick returned to his career as a merchant seaman, working from the ports of Newcastle and Sydney for the majority of his working life before briefly working out of Tasmania once again. He retired from life at sea in 2002.

Mick was a committed seafarer, workmate, unionist and family man throughout his life.