Military’s Silver Award received with pride by UK Docks

UK DOCKS has been formally presented with its Armed Forces’ Silver Award in recognition of its continuing efforts to support ex-military personnel.

The company has previously earned an Armed Forces Bronze Award and is delighted to have built on that achievement to the point where a Silver has now been given to UK Docks.

Members of the senior management team attended a presentation ceremony at the Ramside Hall Hotel on the edge of Durham on behalf of UK Docks to receive the Award.

UK Docks’ Jonathan Wilson, Gary Wilson and Stephen Lee receive the Armed Forces’ Silver Award on behalf of the company.

And they were joined by fellow winners of the award on a night when senior members of the military thanked companies for their participation in a scheme which allows former military personnel a clear transition into jobs and careers outside of the armed services.

UK Docks has now earned a Silver Award to go witht

Explaining to fellow guests, the UK Docks Silver award, The master of ceremonies gave the following citation to guests on the night to explain what the company does and how it has sought to support the armed forces.

“UK Docks Marine Services is a family run maritime support business based in South Shields but with a global reach. 

“Since 1992 they have built an excellent reputation for their delivery across a wide range of maritime repair and conversion work in the offshore and defence arenas, delivering from across five sites both in the North East and on the South coast.

“With their HQ centred on the River Tyne they are very much part of the community and no more so than the Defence community.

“They are proud employers of 15 Veterans as well as several Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Reservists.

“These personal links to the Armed Forces is the silver thread which runs through to this well-deserved award.

“Their enduring commitment to the local Sea Cadets at TS Collingwood is an exemplar for all; Christmas parties, cadet bursaries and sail training for those most in need, is just some of what they do. 

“They are also selfless in their support of local charities including Veterans in Crisis which operates in Sunderland.

“Following their signing of the Armed Forces Covenant in 2018 and their award of Bronze in 2022, this Silver Award is justly achieved this year. Many congratulations!”

UK Docks managing director, Jonathan Wilson, said: “The Award is for everyone at UK Docks who has been involved in extending and improving our offer to former armed forces personnel.

“The company has always had strong links to former members of the Armed Forces, recognising the expertise and personal qualities they bring to UK Docks both in our sites around the country and also in our work abroad.

“We take great pride in the contracts we have with the Ministry of Defence, including the servicing and maintaining of the Royal Navy’s five Batch 2 vessels - HMS’s Tamar, Trent, Medway, Spey and Forth - and the icebreaker HMS Protector, across the world.

“But closer to home we focus on supporting organisations close to the armed forces and prioritise the employment of ex-service personnel who have contributed greatly to the company’s growth and success in the past few decades.”

Shape of things to come as historic rum store’s impressive new look unveiled

THE first glimpse of what a restored Rum Store in Gosport’s Victoria Quay will look like after its impending multi-million-pound renovation has been revealed.

The architect’s impression of the transformed derelict Grade II listed building shows an impressive, elegant structure which transforms the original Victorian warehouse into a perfectly appointed 21st-century facade,

The reimagined Rum Store on Victoria Quay in Gosport as it will look after renovation and return to public function.

Published by Gosport Borough Council, the design illustrates how the 150-year-old building will transition from a redundant site into an engine of regeneration for the local community.

The UK Docks-owned building was formerly the house of the entire Royal Navy store of rum rations but ran into decline in the early years of the 20th century and was critically damaged in the Second World War when German bombs destroyed most of the first floor of the vast building.

The Rum Store as it currently stands with much of its outer facade retained but almost entirely derelict inside.

Now it is set to transform from an eyesore into a centre of growth, with a restored building being the centrepiece of a transformative reimagining of Victoria Quay.

The proposed renovation would create nearly 7,000 sqm of mixed-use employment space, mainly for maritime businesses like yacht brokers and naval architects. 

Other units in the building are earmarked for retail and leisure, including a possible rooftop terrace bar and restaurant with views across Portsmouth Harbour.

It's expected that the restored building could be completed as early as summer 2026, creating up to 200 jobs and boosting the local economy by £11m a year.

Costing £22m, the revamp would see the Grade II listed property turned into mixed employment space with some retail and leisure units.

Proposed works to renovate the building include:

• Specialist conservation repairs to the historic structure

• Reconstruction of collapsed floors

• New open plan gallery entrance with staircase and lifts

• Reconstruction of the second floor which was demolished following World War II bomb damage

• Construction of a rooftop bar and terrace

The project is led by UK Docks Marine Servies and Pritchard Architecture with the support of Gosport Borough Council, sponsored by a grant from the Government’s Levelling-Up fund.

In 2023, Gosport Borough Council led a bid for Government Levelling Up funding to renovate the Rum Store building, match-funded by UK Docks.

The council's bid also included support for public realm improvements along the waterfront to encourage more residents and visitors to discover the attractions and businesses on that route. 

This will include creating new physical links to help more people access the waterfront while telling the story of heritage through wayfinding, public art and more.

Ben Mason, UK Docks Portfolio Manager at Victoria Quay, said: "This project could provide huge opportunities for Gosport residents and businesses. 

“Working with Gosport Borough Council has given us access to government funding and helped unlock solutions to problems that were bigger than just our site at Victoria Quay, such as local infrastructure.

“The council has big plans for regeneration in the borough and we're delighted to be a partner in that."

Councillor Peter Chegwyn, leader of Gosport Borough Council, said: "The Rum Store is a key piece of the jigsaw of improving Gosport's waterfront. 

“Not only could this project restore a derelict historic building, it'll create a new commercial and leisure destination for people to enjoy. 

“We hope it'll welcome more residents and visitors alike to explore a more connected waterfront."

Full details can be seen in the planning portal on the Gosport Borough Council website.

Reconnecting Gosport's historic waterfront

The Rum Store is a part of the council's wider plans to revitalise and reconnect the town's historic waterfront.

New video showcases UK Docks' growing marine services portfolio nationwide

A new video highlighting UK Docks marine services operations across the country has been created by Annelies James of 22MIdnight.

The video underlines the company’s position as the country’s largest, independent, privately-owned marine services provider.

It showcases our bases at UK Docks Tyneside, Teesside, Cremyll and Gosport (where Annelies is based), through video and drone footage.

DJI drones were used, operating under a drone licence and aware of restricted fly zones while also dodging high winds, (and birds!), to get wide angles, spins, pans and float. 

The software used was Adobe Premier Pro, alongside copyright-free music and creative use of graphic design.

Annelies said of the project: "It was pretty complicated work pulling it all together, but really enjoyable at the same time and we're happy with the results.

"It shows how impressive UK Docks is and the video can be used at displays and exhibitions, as well as online, as an engaging and interesting way to interact with clients and customers."

The 22Midnight video shows where the company currently stands, what we do and what we offer to the marine sector around our shores in 2024.

Jonathan Wilson, managing director of UK Docks, said: “We’re delighted with 22Midnight’s work which is perfect as a visual presentation of where the company stands and the services it can provide.

“It’s important in business to use every tool at your disposal to highlight and explain your services and a video like this is a simple but very effective way of getting our message across.

“There’s also some great drone footage on there, which helps the viewer get a grasp of what UK Docks facilities are about - something which is hard to appreciate sometimes when you’re at ground level.”

HMS Scimitar now cuts a dash as MV Lady Jean

A former Royal Naval patrol vessel has found a new life as a hospital ship in Africa, thanks to the work of engineers and specialists at UK Docks in Gosport.

HMS Scimitar was a patrol vessel that served with sister ship HMS Sabre as part of the Gibraltar Squadron for many years, safeguarding the waters around the entrance to the Mediterranean.

Both were brought back to the UK, decommissioned and sold, with HMS Scimitar being bought by The Vine Trust charity and converted by UK Docks into a medical ship, the Scimitar being renamed the MV Lady Jean at a naming ceremony in Portsmouth.

Once the conversion work was completed, the new look vessel made a poignant final pass by sister ship HMS Sabre, which was bought by a private owner, before being moved to Southampton where she was loaded on to a vessel transiting to Mombassa.

The refitted and rejuvenated former HMS Scimitar bids a last farewell to sister ship HMS Sabre before heading to Africa.

Having arrived in Kenya, she is now due to be lifted onto a specialist lorry and moved to Lake Victoria in Tanzania where she will operate as a mobile medical vessel, serving the numerous islands on the lake.

Charles Barley, UK Docks director at Endeavor Quay said: “It was an unusual and interesting project for us to work on and it brought several challenges we had to rise to as we worked through the conversion but it was really satisfying for the team.

“It was quite touching at the end, seeing her alongside HMS Sabre for the last time but it’s great that she has important new duties ahead of her.

“As HMS Scimitar, she did Royal Naval work which kept people safe, now, as the MV Lady Jean, she’s doing medical work which will protect people’s health.”

The former HMS Scimitar, now the MV Lady Jean, being lowered back into the water to begin life as a hospital ship.

The year-long conversion was funded by international defence company Babcock, who contracted UK Docks to undertake the work.

UK Docks offered discounted rates, free lifting of the vessel and free storage during conversion which took place on both Victoria and Endeavour Quay.

The changes included a new generator, conversion of the wheelhouse and forward accommodation to suit the needs of a hospital vessel and new galley with fridges, ovens, sink, serving areas and air conditioning unit installed.

There was a total redesign of the aft transom with guardrails, boarding steps and boarding platform put in to allow people to board.

Additionally, a new engine had to be sourced and as the Scimatar’s former engines were obsolete.

That sparked a two-month, European-wide search before, a new MAN truck engine was sourced in Holland. 

Once the engine was shipped back to the UK, it was stripped down and rebuilt into a new engine using parts from both engines, over the course of the next two months with stringent testing being carried out on the resulting engine. 

This solution proved to be a great success and UK Docks were thankful for the help and assistance they received from other collaborators during the project. 

Fully restored and refurbished, the new MV Lady Jean.

UK Docks managing director, Jonathan Wilson, said: “Our company carries out servicing and maintenance of vessels from the North East down to the South Coast and each project is unique in its own way.

“But the conversion of HMS Scimitar into the MV Lady Jean was a particularly special one.

“We would like to thank The Vine Trust and Babcock for entrusting us with the work and we wish the MV Lady Jean many years of successful service on Lake Victoria.”

UK Docks' team helps restore Arbeia Roman Fort herb gardens

A UK Docks team in South Shields has helped the town’s historic, Roman Fort win back herb gardens which became overgrown during the pandemic.

The volunteers made the short trip from River Drive to the fort to spend all day clearing thick brambles, wild fennel and weeds from the former gardens and surrounding areas.

And the hope is that the sweet smell of success will follow in the coming months as the herb gardens at the entrance to the fort site in Baring Street are returned to their former glory.

UK Docks clear overgrown herb gardens at Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort watched by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums staff Alex Croom and August Fenwick

Overseeing the work was Alex Croom, Keeper of Archaeology at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, who said: “It’s great that UK Docks chose us for their latest clean-up.

“It has taken us a big step forward in terms of getting our herb gardens back.

“Herbs were of great importance to the Romans and other cultures at the time when Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort was a fully-functioning garrison and we are looking forward to restoring them.

“In Roman times, herbs like woad were used for dyeing cloths, many others, like comfrey, were used for medicinal purposes and of course, they cultivated the likes of thyme, lovage and rue for cooking.

“Finally, herbs had a ceremonial and religious purpose, which is why we see such plants as roses, violets, rosemary and wormwood”

Digging for victory, UK Docks at Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort 

August Fenwick, customer service assistant at Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort, said: “The extra hands have been a big help because we would have struggled to do it by ourselves.

“We got so much more done because of their collective efforts and there was a great buzz about the place on the day.

“The herb gardens used to be a popular part of a visit to the Fort because straight after coming out of the visitors’ centre you were met by all these lovely aromas.

“It became overgrown during Covid though and it’s lovely to think we might soon have them back - visitors loved them and sometimes asked if they could take a bit of mint or other herbs with them, which we didn’t mind if it gave them a nice memory of their visit.”

Wheelbarrows, forks and spades were at the ready first thing in the morning as office manager, Emma Bryson organised a team which transformed the look and feel of the site by the end of the day, clearing the site and replacing cobblestones.

Emma said: “It was hard work for us all but enjoyable - we got to get out in the fresh air in a beautiful, historic spot and it was good for team spirit and bonding.

“Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort was a great project to work on because the gardens had been an attraction once and it was rewarding to watch it starting to come back to life as we cleared the ground.

“Now we’re looking forward to returning when the gardens are fully restored.”

UK Docks carried out a beach clean of Littlehaven Beach before work at Arbeia and is now planning a full programme of volunteer events among the workforce every other month.

UK Docks welcomes aboard Royal Navy veteran Richard as Vessel Manager

A warm UK Docks Marine Services welcome to new starter Richard Cheel who has joined the company as Vessel Manager based at our offices in South Shields.
Richard, pictured here (left) being welcomed aboard by Technical Manager, John Lally, may be new to the company but he's also a veteran.

He is an ex-Royal Navy marine engineering Warrant Officer with over two decades of service to the country under his belt.
UK Dock has always acknowledged the contributions our serving armed forces bring to commercial organisations like ours and many of our team are ex-service personnel.
Richard becomes the 16th member of staff from the Forces, to be based in our North East offices and we also have four people who have direct relations serving in the armed forces.
The company's commitment to the armed forces was recently recognised with a Silver Award under the Defence Employer’s Recognition Scheme.
The scheme recognises individual company's commitments to the Armed Forces Covenant in their business practices.
We're proud to support the UK's Armed Forces at every opportunity but UK Docks also benefits from the knowledge and expertise people like Richard bring to our business.

UK Docks' teams focus on health and safety

THERE is nothing more important than health and safety in the workplace.

That’s especially relevant in the marine services industry where heavy machinery is continually operated and transported and where there are lots of moving parts at all levels which need to be overseen and safety protocols observed.

Heath and safety when operating all types of heavy machinery must always be of paramount importance.

At UK Docks Marine Services, constant vigilance and efforts to maintain the highest safety standards are at the forefront of our approach and we evolve that year-on-year and adapt to new recommendations and requirements as they emerge.

That’s one of the reasons why, as well as holding accreditation in ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018, UK Docks is a proud member of the Avetta consortium.

Avetta is the supply chain safety and sustainability expert which operates globally to support more than 130,000 contractors and 1.5 million workers.

They provide the foundation for clients, suppliers, contractors, workers and vendors to forge stronger relationships, ensuring safe and sustainable workplaces.

Photograph via Avetta website

Across the world, they enable and verify ongoing safety, environmental, social and financial performance, helping hiring companies build a strong and diverse contractor base wherever they operate.

Our accreditations and memberships underpin our commitment to health and safety, sustainability, quality standards and creating a safer work environment for everyone involved in our businesses.

Nothing is more important than the safety of every member of our team.

# ThinkSafe, #WorkSafe, #HomeSafe.

Royal Navy’s new fleet of workboats to be serviced by UK Docks in Gosport and Cremyll

UK DOCKS has been awarded a £4million contract to service and maintain the Royal Navy’s new fleet of SEA Class Vahana workboats.

The company, which delivers marine services nationwide and supports the navy globally, will run the operation from its Gosport base with work being carried out at Gosport in Portsmouth Harbour and Cremyll in Cornwall.

The Ministry of Defence has received 35 workboats as part of Project Vahana, (an ambitious £48 million modernisation programme of its small boat flotilla), and the vessels have already delivered a whole new range of operational benefits.

HMS Raleigh - one of the fleet of Project Vahana workboats

They are used for several roles from logistics support, officer training, hydrographic survey and passenger transport to dive support and training.

The last of the vessels, dubbed the ‘Land Rover of the Seas’ because of their versatility and durability, was received by the navy only last month,

However, serving and maintaining them will be key and the Royal Navy hopes the initial two-year contract between MOD procurement arm Defence Equipment & Support will eventually lead to the seamless running of the vessels over the long term.

UK Docks already services and maintains multiple navy vessels and is proud to have extended its role.

Training workboat at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth

Jonathan Wilson, UK Docks managing director, said: “We are delighted to secure this contract which gives the company the chance to demonstrate its ability to provide the high standards and quality of service the navy demands.

“Winning important contracts like this does not come easily - a lot of work goes into making them happen and competition is intense because you are up against some of the best companies in the world in this field.

“So I would like to praise the UK Docks team that worked so hard to put together the successful bid to maintain the workboats and look forward to them keeping the vessels performing at their very best.”

The contract was awarded by the Boats Team at Defence Equipment and support, the procurement arm of the MOD.

Rosy Copping-Bull, Project Manager for the DE&S Boats Team, said: "We are pleased to be growing our relationship with UK Docks to now include the in-service support and capability maintenance of these Vahana Workboats which are an essential part of the Royal Navy's military operations including diving, surveying and training.

“The vital work carried out in Gosport and Cremyll to maintain these vessels will be instrumental in helping our nation prosper now and in the future."

HMS Magpie - one of the last of the Project Vahana workboats delivered to the Royal Navy.

One of the benefits of investing in the Vahana workboats is that it will standardise maintenance and spare parts making the Royal Navy operation much more efficient in terms of UK Docks being able to carry out the work swiftly. 

Ben Mason, portfolio manager at UK Docks, said: “It’s great to extend our links with the Royal Navy and take on the job of maintaining the Vahana workboats, designed and built by Atlas Electronik UK.

“UK Docks has invested heavily in our Gosport facilities in recent years and increased employment precisely to handle contracts like these.

“Our expanded capacity and investment in staff means the Vahana workboats will be maintained to operate at optimum levels and continue carrying out the important work they do.”

The vessels are operated from UK home ports, Royal Navy surface vessels and survey vessels. One is based in Gibraltar.

All SEA Class boats achieve a minimum of 25 knots with whole-body vibration-absorbing seats minimising shock to reduce operator fatigue, allowing longer missions.

Propulsion is delivered by two Yanmar marine diesel engines which range from 350hp to 1000hp and Hamilton Waterjet propulsion providing safe, shallow water operations. 

The propulsion system features the Hamilton Blue Arrow CAN Bus control system and mouse-boat control for optimum control and manoeuvrability.

The new support contract extends UK Docks' work with the Royal Navy.

The company currently maintains five Batch 2 River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels - HMS Medway, Spey, Forth, Trent and Tamar, as well as the Navy’s only icebreaker, HMS Protector.

Contractors sought for historic Gosport Rum Store redevelopment

TENDERS are being invited for contracts worth hundreds of thousands of pounds at Gosport’s former Royal Navy Rum Store, where the £8.5 million redevelopment of the Grade II-listed building is now imminent.

The derelict landmark on Victoria Quay, which used to house the entire Royal Navy’s rum rations, will be brought dramatically back to life in the next two years.

And UK Docks Marine Services, which owns the building, has invited tenders from construction firms for repairs, alteration and refurbishment works and improvements to the building and land around it.

Details of the work being offered can be accessed at the South East Business Portal or Contractservice.

The Royal Navy’s former Rum Store is waiting for contractors to begin its revitalisation.

The contracts are set to be awarded at the end of the year with work beginning at the start of 2025.

Ben Mason, UK Docks’ Portfolio Manager, said: “It’s an exciting time because, after so much preparatory work by so many people and organisations to get us this far, we’re now reaching the point where we’re about to see spades in the ground.

“This project will provide huge opportunities for Gosport residents and businesses and reinvigorate a disused historic building which people can be proud of once again.”

The Rum Store is at the heart of a successful Gosport Borough Council-led bid to secure £18m from the Government’s Levelling-Up Fund for its Reconnecting Historic Gosport Waterfront regeneration programme.

With extra match-funding from UK Docks, it represents a huge £30m investment in the 5.7-acre Victoria Quay site at Royal Clarence Yard.

Recent decades had seen a decline in the area, mirroring the reduction of the Royal Navy but since the arrival of UK Docks in 2019, the area has been steadily on the up but the Government funding is a game-changer.

The major works, due to be completed by 2026 in its first phase, include renovation of the 6,890sqm Rum Store to provide new mixed-use space, centred around the maritime sector.

There will also be public realm enhancements to the coastal route, encouraging more visitors and connecting the town centre to the waterfront and Gosport’s historic fortifications.

An aerial view of the former Royal Navy Rum Store shows the scale of the area set to be brought back into working life in Gosport.

That first phase will see the Rum Store provide workshops, office space and retail units for a range of maritime businesses such as sailmakers, chandleries, naval architects, yacht brokers, and maritime training providers.

Other units will offer retail and hospitality, including a second-floor restaurant and bar with a rooftop terrace.

Between 150 and 200 jobs are expected to be created which will help deliver an estimated £11m annual boost to the local economy.

UK Docks’ Ben Mason stressed that everything that has been achieved or set to be achieved on the project is the result of collaboration by multiple agencies, (including local MP, Dame Caroline Dineage), working together for a common goal.

Dame Caroline Dineage MP with UK Docks' Ben Mason at the derelict former Royal Navy Rum Store, soon to be restored.

"It has been an ambition for UK Docks since purchasing the site that the area regains its full potential, but we couldn’t do it on our own,” said Ben.

“Working with Gosport Borough Council has given us access to Government funding and helped unlock solutions to problems that were bigger than just our site, such as local infrastructure.

“The council has exciting big plans for regeneration in the borough and we’re delighted to be a partner in that.”

• Contractors seeking details of the works required with a view to potentially tendering should go to the South East Business Portal or Contractservice.

UK Docks’ contribution to armed forces recognised with prestigious Silver Award

UK DOCKS’ commitment to the country’s armed forces has been recognised with a Silver Award under the Employer’s Recognition Scheme.

The scheme recognises individual company's commitments to the Armed Forces Covenant in their business practices.

The company had previously been a Bronze Award holder and has moved up to Silver Award status by attaining a higher standard within the Armed Forces Covenant and by making additional commitments. 

Those include encouraging ex-service personnel, supporting and encouraging families of ex or serving personnel and committing to supporting and having a policy for Reservists.

UK Docks also actively promotes the armed forces and supporters of the armed forces such as the Cadet organisation as well as veterans' society's and charities. 

The company itself has 15 ex-service personnel at its North East base and employs four people who have direct relations serving in the armed forces.

Ultimately, UK Docks’ ambition is to continue progress and to achieve a Gold Award but for the moment the company is celebrating the landmark of reaching Silver. 

Stephen Lee, the company’s operations director, who led efforts to achieve Silver Award standards, said: "The North East, as a region, has long been a major supporter of the UK’s armed forces and as a North East family-owned business it is with profound gratitude and unwavering commitment that we honour the Armed Forces Covenant. 

“As a company, we are proud to contribute to the armed forces through our multiple services and support contracts, including the work at our Gosport base in Portsmouth harbour, with its rich naval tradition.

“All across our bases in the country we stand united in our support of the men and women of the UK's armed forces, ensuring they receive the recognition, respect, and support they deserve. 

“We appreciate that we are in a position to offer those who have served the opportunity to transition into civilian life, by giving them a workplace that is open and familiar to them in  respect of their day-to-day business.

“It also helps that many of their colleagues at UK Docks will have made that same transition and can offer support when required"

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same.

The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

• UK Docks will be formally presented with their Silver Award at a ceremony in October.