Lerwick, Shetland Islands
August 28, 2020
28 Aug 20. To make an appointment with a Harbour Master, I email ahead asking my two questions: "What is unique about your harbour?" and "What is the most unusual thing you have had to do as HM?". When I asked Alex Simpson, the HM of Lerwick Port Authority, he said he would be very happy to meet me on 28 Aug, but he was "quite busy" as he had the world's LARGEST ship arriving in his harbour THAT DAY!
He visited Good Dog during his lunch break, and was remarkably relaxed about the approaching ship. Later that day we saw the huge "Pioneering Spirit" (photo 4) carrying the Ninian Northern Oil Rig on her deck! The ship had lifted the rig up and was steaming into Lerwick harbour where a massive crane (photo 6) was waiting to lift it onto the quayside (photo 7 taken later).
Shetland has been the centre of the Oil and Gas industry for over 50 years - I had no idea how big the industry is but as it declines, there is competition to obtain the large de-commissioning jobs such as dismantling oil rigs. Alex told me all about the "Laydown Areas" they have - quaysides which can withstand 12,500 tonnes being plonked on top of them without the concrete bending!
Alex was previously a Master of container ships before returning to his home island to be Deputy HM for 10 years and then HM from 2018. He clearly loves his island and loves his job. My notebook overflows with information he told me. The importance of fishing - Lerwick is second only to Peterhead for white fish landings, and the positive effect Brexit "should" have on the local fishing industry; the complete dearth of cruise ships visiting in 2020 - normally 100,000 cruise passengers pass through his port each year and the amazing wildlife he has seen near his harbour - selkies (grey seals), basking sharks, sun fish and turtles.
I could have chatted to him all day...but then he reminded me he did have quite a big ship about to arrive and he better leave us! Thank you Alex so much for your time.
After buying a traditional jumper (Photo 10) we left Lerwick on what was to be one of the most exciting passages of the whole trip - "over the top" of Great Britain.....!
He visited Good Dog during his lunch break, and was remarkably relaxed about the approaching ship. Later that day we saw the huge "Pioneering Spirit" (photo 4) carrying the Ninian Northern Oil Rig on her deck! The ship had lifted the rig up and was steaming into Lerwick harbour where a massive crane (photo 6) was waiting to lift it onto the quayside (photo 7 taken later).
Shetland has been the centre of the Oil and Gas industry for over 50 years - I had no idea how big the industry is but as it declines, there is competition to obtain the large de-commissioning jobs such as dismantling oil rigs. Alex told me all about the "Laydown Areas" they have - quaysides which can withstand 12,500 tonnes being plonked on top of them without the concrete bending!
Alex was previously a Master of container ships before returning to his home island to be Deputy HM for 10 years and then HM from 2018. He clearly loves his island and loves his job. My notebook overflows with information he told me. The importance of fishing - Lerwick is second only to Peterhead for white fish landings, and the positive effect Brexit "should" have on the local fishing industry; the complete dearth of cruise ships visiting in 2020 - normally 100,000 cruise passengers pass through his port each year and the amazing wildlife he has seen near his harbour - selkies (grey seals), basking sharks, sun fish and turtles.
I could have chatted to him all day...but then he reminded me he did have quite a big ship about to arrive and he better leave us! Thank you Alex so much for your time.
After buying a traditional jumper (Photo 10) we left Lerwick on what was to be one of the most exciting passages of the whole trip - "over the top" of Great Britain.....!