Lewis has the Edge - UK Docks apprentice wins top award

UK DOCKS’ apprentice Lewis Wilson is one of an elite group of students to be recognised with a national Edge Award celebrating the quality of his work.

He was one of only 17 students chosen out of more than 1,000 studying at Gateshead College nationwide across all courses to receive the prized certificates.

Lewis, who turns 20 in March, has now completed his three-year course to qualify as an Engineer and Technician.

He was putting his new skills to the test within days of winning his award, flying out to the Falkland Islands to complete a week’s worth of support work on the Royal Navy ship HMS Forth on behalf of UK Docks.

Apprentices for the 2024 Edge Awards were picked from a wide range of curriculum areas including business, digital tech, catering, construction, hairdressing and automotive but Lewis was the only engineer selected.

He was nominated by educator Muhsin Jamaar who said: “Lewis exhibited remarkable technical proficiency throughout his apprenticeship.

“He mastered the foundation engineering skills expected at this level and consistently displayed an eagerness to delve into advanced concepts and applications.

“One of Lewis’s standout qualities is his ability to work seamlessly within a team.

"I have witnessed this at his workplace when he was part of a team preparing a ship for sea trial - Lewis displayed exceptional leadership potential by taking the lead to mentor his fellow apprentices.

“He has shown that he is someone with the capability to assume leadership roles in the future.

“Throughout the apprenticeship, Lewis exhibited a high level of professionalism, reliability and a strong work ethic. 

“He consistently met project deadlines, adhered to industry standards and maintained a level of professionalism that earned him the respect of both peers and supervisors.

“Where needed, Lewis attended college during his holidays to complete any work.

“In summary, Lewis has been an exceptional apprentice who has consistently demonstrated a high level of technical proficiency, teamwork and professionalism. I am confident that Lewis will continue to excel in his career and make significant contributions to the field of engineering.”

David Alexander, Principal at the College, said: “Our Edge Awards for Apprenticeships are a highlight of my year. 

“It’s good to be able to showcase the fantastic work being done by our apprentices and employers and we had a great time presenting our Edge awards and surprising the winners in their workplace.

“The standard of nominations was very high and everyone who received an award should be proud of their achievements."

Gateshead College trains more than 1,000 apprentices many of them in the North East but also throughout the UK including in London and Manchester.

UK Docks was founded by Lewis’s grandfather Harry Wilson and the young engineer’s ambition is to build a successful career in the family firm.

Pic caption: Keeping it in the family - Lewis Wilson shows his prestigious Edge Award certificate to UK Docks' director Gary Wilson.

UK Docks Teesside yard enjoys record-breaking year of service and repair

STAFF and management at UK Docks’ Teesside facility are celebrating a record-breaking year for the number of ships serviced and repaired.

More than 30 vessels have been successfully worked on in the shipyard’s two dry docks and heavy lift repair quay throughout 2023

Among them were the Royal Navy’s only icebreaker, HMS Protector, former Royal Fleet Auxiliary Tristram, (now a training vessel), as well as Transport For London’s Dame Vera Lynn and Ben Woollacott, the Trinity House Patricia, the UKD Marlin, various North Star and Putford vessels and several Svitzer Tugs.

Jonathan Wilson, MD of UK Docks, said: “We’re delighted to have had such a productive year. 

“This is exactly what we hoped for when we first re-opened the docks in 2014 after they’d been derelict for more than two decades.

“What’s pleasing is the variety of vessels we worked on over the last 12 months, as well as the number of them, and that’s testimony to the skills and versatility of the team.”

HMS Protector, an essential part of the Royal Navy’s global reach, visited Teesside twice over the course of the year - once for a comprehensive drydock package, and then again later in the year to carry out essential repairs to its main engine and drivetrain, with more than 300 individual work packages being completed on time and on budget.

Commercial ship repair was equally busy with several Teesside and London-based Svitzer tugs, Trinity House vessel Patricia and Transport for London ferries Dave Vera Lynn and Ben Woollacott, which operate on the River Thames at Woolwich, coming in for their first five-year service and docking.

The year has been completed with extensive work on UKD Marlin, Putford Phoenix and an unplanned docking of PD Ports’ Heortnesse.

Those works marked a record-breaking number of vessels handled by the busy yard in a single year.

The Tees shipyard director Stuart Syvret said:: “Our growth in 2023 underpins the commitment and ongoing investment to improve the Teesside facility.

“We have two operational drydocks supported by a heavy lift afloat repair berth, fully equipped steel and engineering workshops and two modern 30-tonne Shoreside cranes.

“We also have a highly-skilled project management team, workforce and trusted subcontract supply chain ensuring, whether works are scheduled or unscheduled, we can react and deliver complex engineering activities in both commercial and Ministry of Defence sectors.”

The yards, on Dockside Road, in Teesport Commerce Park, now perform a significant role in the Tees Valley supply chain and local economy.

• UK Docks would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers in 2023 for the work supplied to our teams. We wish them all a happy, safe and prosperous 2024.

Veterans In Crisis supported by UK Docks' Christmas food drop

CHRISTMAS is a time for giving and UK Docks staff made a special delivery just before the big day of foodstuffs and essentials to the offices of Sunderland-based charity Veterans In Crisis.

The donations included food, toiletries and Christmas treats and were a recognition of the outstanding work Veterans In Crisis does for those who have served and are struggling to adjust.

As a defence contractor employing many ex-service personnel, UK Docks recognises the great contribution our service men and women provide to the country and to their communities.

The company also appreciates the Herculean efforts of charities like Veterans In Crisis and the difference their teams make, delivering every day, to improve veterans’ lives when they are trying to get back on their feet.

Stephen Lee, UK Docks’ operations director, said: “We sincerely hope this gesture has a positive impact on our veterans and their families during the festive period.

“The efforts of Ger Fowler and his team at Veterans In Crisis is inspirational and we at UK Docks are proud to be able to support them.

“UK Docks this year has recognised the efforts of people within our local community who have themselves made personal and financial sacrifices, to support and enable Armed Forces Veterans and their families gain access to necessary support and services, when they themselves are in a time of need.”

The van full of donations was delivered by Stephen Stuart McLean, general manager of UK Docks Teesside, and John Lally, UK Docks North, technical manager.

For more information on Veterans In Crisis (VICS), go to https://www.veteransincrisis.co.uk/

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UK Docks to breathe new life into historic Rum Store thanks to Government Levelling Up Funding

A Government grant of more than £11m has been awarded to UK Docks for the renovation of the historic Rum Store building at Victoria Quay in Gosport.

The money will help bring back to life and use an iconic building which was at the heart of the Royal Navy supply chain during Victorian times when sailors were given ‘rum rations’ during their service in what was the biggest fleet in the world.

The money from the Levelling Up Fund - £11,156,400 exactly - will be used by UK Docks to breathe new life into one of the most deprived constituencies in the country.

The Fund has given just over 18m in all to Gosport Borough Council to invest in works on Gosport’s historic waterfront.

The centrepiece will be the £11m investment in the Rum Store but the remainder will be spent on creating space for skilled marine employment and reconnecting the town centre to the waterfront.

The derelict Grade II listed building will eventually deliver mixed-use space while public realm enhancements to the route between the waterfront and town centre will increase footfall between the areas and provide a new route connecting Gosport’s historic fortifications.

UK Docks managing director, Jonathan Wilson, said: “This is great news for Victoria Quay and for the people of Gosport.

“For us, it's a fantastic opportunity to work with Gosport Borough Council on the project Reconnecting Historic Gosport Waterfront.

“The Rum Store is a wonderful ex-Ministry of Defence Grade II Listed Building in Royal Clarence Yard that is steeped in history and which now has the chance to be repaired and regenerated to boost economic development in the area.

“This news has come at a critical point for the Rum Store building which couldn’t have been better timed as it will now unlock the full potential of Victoria Quay as a focal point for marine services and business.

“It will also enhance the quality of life for those living in Gosport and its surrounding areas and we can’t wait to get started.”

UK Docks has invested heavily in the deep water berthing facility since acquiring it and improvements have included a 75T amphibious boat hoist, a 50T boat transporter and a  55T mobile crane.

The 5.7-acre site, which offers marine servicing and specialist facilities also has a new, smooth transportation road surface and a refreshment shop run by T by the Sea, that offers high-quality freshly cooked food and beverages.

Jonathan said: “We’re very proud at UK Docks in terms of what we have achieved at Victoria Quay over the last few years but the Levelling Up Fund investment will be a real game changer for the area and we’re determined to play our part in creating something the whole community can be proud of.”

The news was welcomed by Gosport MP, Caroline Dinenage, who has been lobbying hard for investment and had pointed out to new Levelling Up Minister, Jacob Young MP that Gosport was one of only two constituencies to not receive Levelling Up funding, despite its Priority 1 status.

She said: “I am thrilled Gosport has finally received the Levelling Up Funding so desperately deserves to help reinvigorate our town, create jobs and attract visitors to our area and help realise our huge potential. 

“I was delighted to support the Council’s Reconnecting Historic Gosport Waterfront project and look forward to working with them to move this forward.”

UK Docks remembers the fallen at moving Remembrance Day ceremony in Falklands

UK Docks took part in a poignant Remembrance Day ceremony more than 8,000 miles from home when Vessel Manager Andy Smith laid a wreath on behalf of the company on a memorial in the Falkland Islands.

Andy paid tribute, on behalf of the company, to the Royal Fleet Auxilliary and also to the memory of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards who lost their lives in the 1982 war.

UK Docks maintains a permanent support presence on the island, based in Mare Harbour where our work includes maintaining HMS Forth and HMS Protector in ensuring this part of the globe is patrolled and protected.

That work continues UK Docks' historic connections, having been involved in the rebuild of RFA Sir Tristram, following her loss in the Falklands, and her recovery and routine maintenance thereafter.

The overseas support is part of a £250m contract which has created more than 100 jobs at UK Docks and sees the company operating worldwide.

We continue to service HMS Protector, the Royal Navy’s only icebreaker, at its dry docks on the River Tees but now services five more vessels - HMS Tamar, HMS Spey, HMS Medway, HMS Trent and HMS Forth - and will hold that responsibility through to 2031.

The vessels’ duties frequently take them to the South Atlantic, North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indo-Asian Pacific and they need to be ready for anything at a moment’s notice.

Lest We Forget.

UK Docks wins £250m Royal Navy contract to service five more vessels

UK Docks is celebrating today after winning a £250m order from the Royal Navy which is set to create more than 100 new jobs.

The company currently services HMS Protector, the Royal Navy’s only icebreaker, at its dry docks on the River Tees but will now go on to service five more vessels over the next eight years under the new contract.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed this morning that the in-service support for HMS Tamar, HMS Spey, HMS Medway, HMS Trent and HMS Forth will be undertaken by UK Docks up until 2031.

And with the vessels operating persistently worldwide in the South Atlantic, North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indo-Asia Pacific, it means the South Shields-headquartered company will operate globally to ensure the maximum efficiency of the Royal Navy vessels.

The contract represents another huge win against stiff competition for UK Docks, which, in 2018 won a £150m, 10-year contract with the navy to service several of its smaller vessels.

That original contract was a huge step forward for a company originally founded by redundant ex-Swan Hunters’ worker Harry Wilson in a single boat repair yard in South Shields in 1995.

And this week’s new £250m deal takes UK Docks Marine Services to a higher level again.

UK Docks’ managing director Jonathan Wilson, Harry’s son, said: “We are delighted to have secured this new contract, which is the culmination of several years’ work showing UK Docks can deliver the highest standards of service and professionalism the Royal Navy requires for the maintenance of its vessels.

“To have been selected by the Ministry of Defence to support and maintain these five vessels ahead of some of the most historic and prestigious companies operating in this sector is an honour and a responsibility that we are very much aware of.

“The new contract is also a vote of confidence in UK Docks’ management and workforce and a recognition of the services that we have provided to the MoD over the last two decades.

“We see the awarding of this contract to UK Docks as a resounding vote of confidence in homegrown British industry, skills and capability and we look forward to putting those resources at the service of these five important vessels.” 

The five ships are offshore patrol vessels, designed to be deployed globally and to carry out duties include humanitarian support, maritime defence and anti-piracy, counter-terrorism and anti-smuggling measures - tasks that had previously been conducted by frigates and destroyers.

At  90 metres long - roughly the length of two Olympic-size swimming pools - they are equipped with a 30mm cannon and flight deck capable of accommodating a Merlin helicopter, a range of more than 5,500 nautical miles and a top speed of more than 20 knots.

The first three - Forth, Medway and Trent - were built by BAE Systems shipyards on the River Clyde in Glasgow - Forth replaced HMS Clyde as the Falkland Islands guardship in

2019, Medway was deployed as the long-term Atlantic Patrol Task (North) ship in the Caribbean in 2020 and Trent was deployed to the Mediterranean in 2020 and is now permanently based in Gibraltar.

HMS Tamar and HMS Spey entered service in 2020 and 2021 respectively and are both on long-term deployment in the Indo-Asia Pacific region.

Jonathan explained: “Because of their long-term deployment overseas, it means UK Docks’ staff will be doing a lot of travelling abroad to carry out inspections and oversee maintenance, updates and improvements.

“It’s a logistically demanding job but once that we are very much capable of as a team and which we are very much looking forward to beginning.

“The new contract will create dozens of jobs here, based primarily in South Shields in the north east and Gosport on the south coast.

“We also expect well over 100 sub-contractor roles to be created to provide the capability and availability of support needed at reach to fulfil the contract where we will deliver remote support, technical, logistical  and design agent services and management.”

The Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, said of the deal: “Working closely with our industry partners, we are securing a future for these versatile and important Royal Navy ships, delivering on our promises for UK prosperity and sustained UK presence overseas. 

“The project will also ensure more than 100 UK jobs are supported, contributing to the vibrant health of our shipbuilding industry.”

HMS Protector Returns to Teesside

Pictured above: UK Docks’ founder Harry Wilson with son and director Jonathan Wilson and operations manager Stephen Lee, welcome Commodore Phillip Waterhouse and HMS Protector Captain Michael Wood MBE to Teesside.

Record-breaking trials by the Royal Navy’s only icebreaker, HMS Protector, have been credited to the superb work done by UK Docks on Teesside last year in a £14m refit.

The ship has just returned from successful trials in the Arctic in which it broke ice further north than any Royal Navy vessel since the 1970s.

And on its way to its next mission – a fourth-month deployment to Antarctica, 10,000 miles away – HMS Protector has made a brief return to Teesside, holding a civic reception on board to celebrate the good work UK Docks has been carrying out on Royal Navy vessels on the River Tees over the past two years.

The Tyneside-based company signed a £150m, 10-year contract with the navy to service and repair the country’s survey fleet – HMS Protector and sister ships HMS Enterprise and HMS Echo.

Captain Michael Wood MBE, the commanding officer of HMS Protector, told guests: “I take my hat off to UK Docks for the work that they have done on the ship.

“The vessel is 20 years old, so it’s not a new ship, and last year the team at UK Docks worked for many months giving her a complete refit and overhaul which has left her in as good a condition as she has ever been in.

“We really put Protector’s ice-breaking capabilities to the test in the Arctic and were delighted to go further into the polar cap than any of our vessels has done in decades.”

Among the guests were UK Docks’ founder Harry Wilson and son Jonathan, as well as the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Johanna Ropner, Commodore Phillip Waterhouse, the Naval Regional Commander for the North, Jacob Young MP for Cleveland and Redcar, The Mayor of Teesside, Ben Houchen and the director of the Northern Powerhouse, Henri Murison.

UK Docks Harry Wilson, who founded the family-run company in 1995 and has developed it into a national and international company, said: “We were honoured that the navy wanted to celebrate its links to Teesside and the North-East with this reception.

“It was the proudest moment of my career, for UK Docks to secure a major Royal Navy contract which brought work and business to the North-East, safeguarding and increasing jobs in the region.

“We take our responsibilities incredibly seriously as a company in terms of what we do, so it was music to our ears to hear how well the crew and the vessel had performed in the Arctic.

“We made a commitment to the Royal Navy when we won this contract against stiff opposition to produce work of the highest calibre – exceptional work they would expect as a matter of course – and it’s pleasing that we have clear evidence of this.

“We look forward to developing our relationship with the Navy and wish it well in its efforts to build its links with the communities of Teesside.”

Henri Murison, director of the business arm of Northern Powerhouse, said: “This is a fantastic story of an innovative and ambitious North East company bringing major and prestigious work to the region.

“It was great to see how successful this relationship between the navy and UK Docks has been and the desire by everyone involved to make this a very long-term relationship, supporting jobs and industry in the north.”

HMS Protector is with UK Docks for the next month undergoing a routine service before it heads off to Antarctica to patrol British overseas territories, including the 1.7m square kilometres of Antarctica that the UK has claim to.

It will represent those interests, as well as doing surveying work and supporting the work of the British Antarctic survey team.

Pictured above: UK Docks Managing Director Harry Wilson, UK Docks Director Jonathan Wilson, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and MP for Redcar and Cleveland Jacob Young

Million-pound investment for UK Docks’ River Tees ship repair yard as landmark cranes arrive

UK DOCKS has continued to invest in its Teesside ship repair facility with the purchase of two Nelcon dockside cranes from the Port of Workington.

The two cranes - landmarks in the North West town for the past three decades - are now set to become a prominent part of the River Tees skyline and will greatly enhance the speed and efficiency of work being carried out in the company’s two dry docks on the south bank of the river.

Each crane has a safe working load of 30 tonnes at 10 metres and 12 tonnes at 28 metres and they will support the work of cranes currently in operation.

The arrival of the giant cranes, which weigh 230-tonne each and were originally built in Rotterdam, Holland, has been an engineering achievement in itself.

After being removed from their established positions in Workington, they were loaded onto the Terra Marique barge by self-propelled modular transporters, (SPMT’s), and shipped 927 nautical miles before arriving on the Tees where they were offloaded and manoeuvred into place on Wednesday and Thursday this week.

The cranes, still emblazoned with the words ‘Port of Workington’, were fully refurbished in 2009 and represent a major investment in a yard which had lain derelict for more than 30 years before UK Docks brought it back into operation in 2014.

It took two years for UK Docks, which operates a string of ship repair yards around England’s coast, to restore the Tees facility to working order.

But now the docks are flourishing with ice patrol ship HMS Protector currently dry-docked in No2 dock and the Svitzer-owned tug, the Svitzer Vidar docked in No 1 dock. 

HMS Echo, the Ministry of Defence multi-role hydrographic survey ship, is also due to berth alongside in the coming days for her bi-annual maintenance period and the Nelcon cranes will have important roles to play in all three contracts

UK Docks' director, Jonathan Wilson, said: “It is very satisfying to have had the cranes successfully transported and reassembled and we want to thank everyone involved for their expertise and professionalism. 

“The move represents a seven-figure investment in our Teesside facility and one worth making as the docks continue to improve their working capacity.

“We have bought the two cranes outright and they will be invaluable in facilitating the work

required on what is a full order book.

“New foundations and crane tracks have had to be installed to ensure their stability and

with them being such sizeable constructions, a lot of care and engineering skill had to go into their deployment.

“But the effort is worth it because it will now give us two additional cranes with increase

capacity operating alongside each other servicing both docks and that will make a major difference to our efficiency and speed in processing future contracts on the Tees.”

Successful 12 months for local family ship repair business

HMS Protector, PSV Hellespont Dawn, PSV Hellespont Daring undergoing repairs

During 2019 UK Docks has enjoyed a busy year over all in its operations, including venturing into new market sectors.

UK Docks were successful in competitively securing a significant contract that started on the 1st April, from the Ministry of Defence, to provide in service support and annual maintenance for HMS Protector, HMS Echo and HMS Enterprise in order to maintain availability for 334 days per year.

During the past nine months the contract has been controlled from our newly built Head Office facility based in South Shields which was completed during February 2019. The new management team comprising of an Operational Manager, Vessel Managers, IT Manager, a Logistics & Procurement team and technical administrators operate from there.

In addition to the office facility a new warehouse facility was constructed to store a comprehensive volume of spares which are stored and maintained to ensure UK Docks can process demands for defects as they occur in order to maintain availability of the platforms.

Jonathan Wilson, Director at UK Docks, said: “During 2019 we planned, managed and coordinated all maintenance activity from our facilities on Tyneside. In conjunction with our Teesside facility we delivered maintenance packages as well as relying on our approved supply chain for work overseas. We are proud to bring this scale of work to the local area and are positive that during the 10-year contract we can continue our growth”

Jonathan added: “The Ministry of Defence naturally requires the highest possible levels of expertise and commitment when it comes to servicing its vessels. Throughout 2019, we have assembled a management team and a strategy to deliver on their expectations, which we are proud to say have been successful throughout the year. We are very pleased with everyone’s efforts and commitment this year and are ready to take the next steps throughout 2020 to continue to grow and progress.”

UK Docks ship repair facility in Middlesbrough has continued to develop throughout the year by extending the main office facility, stores facility, plumbing workshop and steel workshop facilities. During January 2020, two 30 tonne cranes will be delivered and installed between the two dry docks to improve the yards operational ability. In addition, the yard expanded their alongside wet berth repair facilities with the addition of the Heavy Lift Quay which runs adjacent to the dry docks entrance and measures 150 metres ong and benefits from deep water access.

UK Docks slipways and lift out facilities based in Tyneside, Gosport and Cremyl which specialise in providing support to commercial vessel operators such as BAE Systems, Babcock, Serco. The Ministry of Defence have been in continuous operation and occupancy throughout the year. During 2020, UK Docks will see further expansion in the opening of Royal Clarence Yard based in Gosport. Spanning 5.7 acres with direct deep-water access to Portsmouth Harbour, the site offers huge opportunities for future development within the marine sector.