WELL-known St Dogmaels and Cardigan character Tony Bowen – the last river boat pilot on the Teifi - has died at the age of 83.

Mr Bowen followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. From 1968 until his retirement in 1984, his 27ft pilot boat ‘The Wanderer’ was a familiar sight on the river as he ensured the safe passage of vessels using the Teifi.

Born in 1934, the Teifi was still a busy waterway back then and Mr Bowen recalled the times he used to play by The Netpool, near the Teifi Inn, when his father Tom James Bowen, would bring a boat up the estuary, waving cheerily from the wheelhouse as he passed by.

His grandfather, lifeboat coxswain Tom Bowen, held the RNLI bronze medal for the rescue of the crew of the SS Conservator in march 1919, was river pilot for many years prior to his death in 1938.

By the time they were in their teens, Mr Bowen and his brother Clive helped their father to erect posts to enable boats navigate the river.

During his 16-year stint, Mr Bowen piloted several vessels, including the Fishguard, Cromer and Mumbles lifeboats, as well as the 75ft Aberporth Range vessel ‘Fleur de Leys’.

The biggest ship he had to handle was the 80ft German tug ‘Sheila’ used in the building of Cardigan footbridge in 1975/76. Its 9ft 6ins draught made it ‘quite dodgy’ to bring in and out of the estuary

As the importance of Cardigan as a major port gradually declined following the end of World War II, the number of boats needed his help gradually declined. His retirement in 1984 marked the end of an era.

Mr Bowen was a telephone engineer for 42 years and was in the Royal Signals for two years.

Mr Bowen leaves his wife Avril, children Richard and Elaine, grandchildren Kyle, Heather, Thomas and William and son-in law Clive and daughter-in-law Karen.

The funeral service takes place on Friday at Narberth Crematorium at 10.45am.