During lockdown, we’ve been starting each week with a team call via Zoom so that we can all get together and keep everybody updated on operations at the port. Working remotely is new to us, like many businesses, but it has been very successful so far and these team calls have proved very important.

We go over what vessel movements we have coming up this week, as well as any other business. We’re a busy port with lots happening just now, so it’s good for the whole team to have an overview of the overall operation.

Then it’s out on the pilot boat to assess Ross, one of our new pilots who joined us late last year, as part of his ongoing training and development. We go out to meet an incoming vessel which we then board and I supervise as Ross navigates it safely into port and demonstrates his ship handling skills. The navigation channel at Montrose is particularly challenging and it can take a while to learn the ropes despite many years of experience. Obviously, this will be slightly different from a normal assessment as, at this time, we’re careful to follow social distancing guidance. As Chief Executive and Harbour Master, I enjoy getting to be ‘hands on’ in terms of getting out on the varying types of vessels and helping our pilots develop practical nautical skills.