Captain John Pearn started his pilotage career in 1979 as an apprentice Liverpool pilot. After completing the apprenticeship, he went to sea to see the world, ending up in Antarctica on scientific research ships. After gaining his master's certificate he returned to pilotage in 1992 at Milford Haven. He also has a postgraduate diploma in Port Management and a Master Degree in Environmental Law. He joined the Executive Board of UKMPA in 2004 and IMPA in 2014.