At a special dedication ceremony at the Port of Dundee today, the new Tay Discovery pilot boat was given a traditional marine blessing for its service on the River Tay.

With the Dundee Heritage Trust (DHT) and National Oceanography Centre (NOC) present, the pilot boat has been named Tay Discovery which highlights the important role the port plays in the City of Discovery. The naming also coincides with the centenary of the original Discovery ship receiving its Royal Research designation.

The Chaplain, the Reverend Gordon Campbell from the Dundee Sea Cadets, led the traditional marine blessing of the pilot boat, while the Tay Discovery’s new godmother, Mrs Alisson McPherson, who is married to Forth Ports’ Chief Harbourmaster for Scotland, performed the tradition of dousing the bow of the new boat with champagne. [Note: no glass was broken during this ceremony].

The pilot boat was designed in Scotland by Camarc Design and built by Holyhead Marine in Wales. It is 16.6 metres long and one of the most advanced pilot boats in operation with an updated hull design and engines offering increased efficiency. [**NB: further tech specification is listed below]

For the first time this week, three generations of Discovery-named vessels – the original RRS Discovery; the current RRS Discovery and the new pilot boat, the Tay Discovery – were in Dundee marking 100 years of marine science, exploration and innovation since the original RRS Discovery was designated the UK’s first Royal Research Ship. The current RRS Discovery research vessel is berthed in Dundee for a series of events this weekend at both Discovery Point and aboard the 2012 RRS Discovery herself.

Alan McPherson, Chief Harbour Master for Forth Ports’ Scottish operations, said: “The RRS Discovery is an icon of the City of Dundee and it is very appropriate to name our new pilot vessel Tay Discovery. We are honoured to have the current RRS Discovery in our port in the shadow of the original ship at Discovery Point in its centenary year.

“The pilot boat is a significant investment in our marine fleet which delivers the best service for river users and, at the same time, decarbonises our vessels using the very latest engine technology. The Tay is one of the busiest waterways in the UK with hundreds of vessels navigating the river including large offshore wind installation vessels; oil & gas jack up rigs; cruise liners and cargo ships all calling into Dundee.”

 Chris Oliver, Executive Director at Dundee Heritage Trust, said: “Dundee Heritage Trust are delighted to be present at today’s blessing of the Tay Discovery. We are proud of our links with Dundee’s past, present and future, and the conversation that our beloved ship RRS Discovery continues to provoke. Discovery has become a powerful name in the city and is seen in a diverse range of businesses and buildings. The name helped spark the resurgence of the city in the nineties and continues to be a beacon for hope and progress. It is wonderful to see Tay Discovery join the family and help fly the flag for the City of Dundee.”  

Stewart Mackay, Captain of the current RRS Discovery, said: “It is a special moment for us all, to have what is essentially three generations of Discovery vessels here in Dundee. The Tay Discovery pilot vessel continues the name and will provide a vital service to the marine industry. We are proud of our links to Dundee, the home of the first RRS Discovery, which was officially designated a Royal Research Ship 100 years ago. We are delighted to be back, celebrating this important centenary as well as the blessing of Tay Discovery. I wish her fair winds and following seas throughout her years of service.”

Pilot boats are important vessels on the river as they transport maritime pilots to the ships that need guided safely to a berth at a quayside in Dundee or back out of the Estuary to the open sea. As the statutory river authority for the Forth and Tay, Forth Ports’ marine team operates over an area of 280 square miles of navigable waters.

 Tay Discovery forms part of the large fleet of tugs and work boats operated by Targe Towing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Forth Ports, which provide towage, emergency response and other services 24 hours a day principally on the Tay and the Forth, two of the UK’s busiest waterways, in addition to the other North-East ports of Scotland and offshore.

An emergency response safety exercise, which simulates an oil spill in the Firth of Forth, will take place on Wednesday 3^rd September in the vicinity of Granton Beach.

Safety is a top priority for Forth Ports and Clearwater Forth – the oil pollution preparedness, response and cooperation plan – is tested annually by Forth Ports in different areas around the River Forth. City of Edinburgh Council will partner with Forth Ports for the exercise this year and it is likely that the exercise will result in some activity around Granton Beach.

Residents and walkers should not be alarmed by this activity. It is a training exercise only and there is no risk to the environment. The area will remain open but there will be specialist equipment in use, so members of the public are advised to remain at a safe distance.

Captain Alan McPherson, Chief Harbour Master, Forth Ports, said: “No-one in the local area of Granton should be alarmed if they see activity on the shore front, it’s a training exercise and there is no risk to the environment, people or property. The Clearwater Forth annual exercise helps us, and multi agenices involved, to improve emergency procedures and be better placed to protect the local communities and the environment should a real oil spillage ever occur in the river.”

Clearwater Forth is an established emergency response plan designed to handle incidents on the river which may involve the risk of oil pollution. The plan is the responsibility of Forth Ports and is only required to be tested every three years. However, Forth Ports tests this on an annual basis as the ports group views safety as a priority.

27 August 2025                                               – Ends –

The Port of Leith’s newly constructed Charles Hammond Berth showed off its unrivalled deep-water capability as it facilitated the ‘float-off’ marine operation for Type 31 frigate, HMS Venturer, as she entered the River Forth for the first time recently.

The float-off operation carried out in Leith marked a major milestone in the ship’s build journey and demonstrated the sheltered, deep water accessibility of the berth which has been constructed primarily for the offshore wind industry.

HMS Venturer arrived in Leith on a specialist semi-submersible barge, towed from Babcock’s Rosyth facility by tugs operated by Forth Ports’ towage division, Targe Towing. The float-off was a collaborative effort involving Forth Ports teams from marine, engineering and their heavy lift specialists, Forth Projects, who provided the cranage services which played a key role in supporting the operation. This expertise provided the precision handling and lift support to ensure the safe and efficient transition of the ship into the water.

Following the successful float-off in Leith, HMS Venturer was returned under tow to Babcock’s Rosyth facility, where outfitting and systems integration will continue ahead of sea trials.

Commenting on the role of the port in this operation, Derek Knox, Regional Director of Forth Ports said: “This operation was a true collaboration project where marine and engineering and heavy lift experts worked seamlessly to ensure the successful float-off of the brand new HMS Venturer.

“The Charles Hammond Berth in Leith was opened last year and has been designed primarily to handle the world’s largest offshore wind vessels, and due to its deep water capability and sheltered location, the berth can also be used for bespoke marine project work such as this one. Our operations, marine and towage experts all worked as one team with Babcock, Malin and Forth Logistics to ensure a safe and smooth operation. We wish the HMS Venturer well for the future.”

HMS Venturer is the first of five Type 31 frigates to be delivered for the Royal Navy by Babcock.

2 July 2025                                             – ends –

Captain Alan McPherson, Chief Harbour Master at Forth Ports has been voted in as the new President of the UK Harbour Masters Association taking over the role at the Association AGM in Southampton on 11th June from Captain Paul Brooks who completed his two year tenure as President.

The United Kingdom Harbour Masters’ Association (UKHMA) is the one of the world’s oldest and largest Harbour Master & Port Marine Management Associations and consists of over 500 Harbour Masters, Port professionals and Commercial members from ports, harbours and marinas across the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the UK Crown Dependencies.

Captain McPherson is an very experienced mariner, Harbour Master and Senior Port executive with over 25 years in the sector. He is the Chief Harbour Master for Forth Ports where he has been in post for nearly a decade and is responsible for the busy waterways of the Forth and Tay and has an operating area of 280 square miles of navigable waters, including two specialist marine terminals for oil and gas export and provides other marine services, such as towage and conservancy.

Alan was previously with the Port of Tyne Authority where he held various roles in the 15 years with the company including Senior Pilot, Deputy Harbour Master and Harbour Master. He has also worked with the Port of Sunderland, and prior to that a career at sea.

Commenting on his appointment, Captain McPherson said: “I am honoured to have been voted to the role of President of the UKHMA and my thanks to Captain Brooks for the past two years. I have been in the sector for nearly three decades and a member of UKHMA since 2005. The UKHMA is well respected  in the industry, and I am looking forward to representing and presenting the views of the members for the next two years. Harbour Masters and marine professionals are an essential part of our Ports and Harbours and I look forward to working collaboratively with all our stakeholders in promoting the objectives of the Association, sharing best practice and creating an environment where open, positive and constructive dialogue exists.’’

The Association represents a unique source of relevant expert knowledge and experience across a range of port and marine operations. The main objective of the Association, which was formed in 1993, is to encourage the safe and efficient conduct of marine operations in ports as laid out in the Port and Marine Facility Safety Code and engage with, advise and consult with the UK and the Devolved Nation’s Governments and associated regulatory Maritime Agencies.

Martin Willis AFNI, Executive Officer of the UKHMA said: “On behalf of Paul Brooks, our out going Association President and the full membership of the UKHMA we welcome Alan as the newly elected President of the Association and wish him all success in the role. Alan has been appointed by his industry peers entirely on merit and richly deserves the honour to lead our highly regarded professional organisation and shall undertake the role as the lead representative of the Association with great confidence, assurance and the full support of all members of the UK Harbour Masters Association during the tenure of his Presidency”.

– ends-

To mark National Windrush Day 2025, the Port of Tilbury has today (20 June) released a commissioned film which takes a retrospective look at celebratory events hosted by the port, the Tilbury on the Thames Trust, and the local community and the legacy they have helped to create.

77 years ago on the 22 June 1948, the port played a significant role for the Windrush generation as it was their first arrival point into the UK after a long voyage on board the Empire Windrush from the Caribbean. When she docked, a generation of people were able to move through the Cruise Terminal on Tilbury’s riverside to start their new life in the UK.

Featuring contributions from Paul Dale, Chair of the Tilbury of the Thames Trust and Lucy Emma Harris, Community Liaison Manager for Forth Ports, the film celebrates the success of securing National Lottery Heritage funding to allow the historic railway station, which many Windrush people used on route to London and beyond, to be regenerated to a community space. Using archive footage of previous events and historical moments, the film also looks ahead to Windrush 80 when the railway transformation works will be complete.

To see the film in full please use this link: https://vimeo.com/1094327482/81821617f5?share=copy [credit: Forth Ports]

Paul Dale, Chair of Tilbury on the Thames Trust and Chief Operating Officer of Forth Ports commented: “We are proud of the part the Port of Tilbury played when the Empire Windrush arrived in our port in 1948. It is important for us all to remember the positive impact the Windrush generation played then and now in our local and national culture.

“We have traditionally held celebrations here in the port and although we cannot host an event this year, we are excited about the railway station refurbishment project and we look forward to the completion of this in time for the Windrush 80^th anniversary celebrations in 2028.”

20 June 2025                                   -ends-