News October 2017 The Port’s advancing animal feed trade gained an extra edge this month with an investment in new equipment to boost Faster, better, stronger… further the speed and efficiency of operations. Two British made JCBs have been purchased to add to an impressive range of front end loaders, which are expected to move 700,000 tonnes of animal feed in the next year at Royal Portbury Dock. The vehicles will load over 25,000 lorries a year and as it only takes seven loads from the new JCBs to fill an articulated vehicle, the operations are expected to be faster and more efficient. The Port is long established as one of the leading players in the animal feed trade. The ABS sheds alone have capacity for over 200,000 tonnes of feed such as in the largest single feed mixer in the loaders will add to our efficiency in servicing sunflower pellet and high protein soya, country to offer a blending service to our customers for the future”xx Meanwhile, which mostly goes on to feed British cattle customers. James Reeson, Operations the Port recently passed the Universal Feed for dairy farming. In 2015, the Port invested Manager said “The additional front end Assurance Scheme Audit.. lfront News October 2017 Port takes centre stage in celebration of Bristol’s maritime history The Port’s key role in the rich Local historian Colin Momber maritime history of Bristol was provided commentary for dozens celebrated this month by of members of the public offered thousands of visitors to the M bus tours of the Port. Shed’s Docks Heritage Weekend. Also showcased in the th The 140 anniversary of Harbourside was the Port’s new th Avonmouth Docks and the 40 shoalbuster vessel ‘Graham Anniversary of Royal Portbury Robertson’. Theccrew answered Dock were given centre stage. questions and undertook Almost 6,000 visitors attended the dredging for the Harbour Master weekend celebrations and had of the City Docks as a favour. The the chance to learn more about Docks Heritage Weekend will the Port’s history and current return again next year as part of a operations. There was an eye on City Council initiative with the M the future as well as apprentices Shed, the Underfall Yard and Jake Stone, Charlie Smith, Ben sponsored again by The Bristol Greenslade and Bailey Harrington Port Company. greeted visitors to the Port stand. Above: Apprentices at the Port stand at the M Shed teaching children Turn back in time on page 3 to about the Port’s various cargoes. Below: Mid port tour, members of the remember the opening of RPD public learning about the fascinating past and present days of the docks News October 2017 Found: the original Port newsletter from 1977 To celebrate 40 years since the opening of Royal Portbury Dock, our team has delved back into the archives to uncover one of the first newsletters created for the Port. An edition of ‘Portfolio’, dated 11 August 1977, described the excitement, sense of occasion – and nerves – as the Queen arrived by Royal Yacht Britannia to open ‘West Dock’ and rename it Royal Portbury Dock. The contributions of all involved were recognised, from the project engineer to the girl who presented Her Majesty with a bouquet. In addition, crucially the two Channel pilots who planned carefully for six weeks to avoid running the Royal Yacht aground as it approached with only two foot six inches of water beneath the vessel. Portfolio itself had six writers, and included a sports page, commercial news and advertising. It was printed in Weston-super-Mare and distributed monthly. Click here if you would like to read the full August 1977 edition. News October 2017 Police showcase how they keep Port safe and secure Bristol Port Police showcased their services and celebrated a long history that pre-dates even the Metropolitan Police at the recent Avon and Somerset Emergency Services Open Day. Sgt Scott Parkman and PSO John Hanson attended the day, with their police vehicle, water rescue equipment and an assortment of uniforms such as body armour and helmets so that the children could try on and experience what it is like to be a member of the Port Police. The Port Police date back to 1803, making them one of the oldest police forces in the world. Today they are a team of 29, and and Somerset, the Port Police take advice when needed. This enables the Port operate under a Memorandum of responsibility for policing the port.. With to maintain a proud security record. The Understanding with Avon and Somerset A&S Police providing back up specialist Police are on site 365 days a year, 24/7 and Constabulary. This means that even though services such as forensics, police dogs, have the ability to use their full policing the Port is within the Policing area of Avon and major crime and counter terrorism powers up to a mile from the Dock Estate. maintain ajjjjjjjjkjkjkjkkjkjkjthhhh c Obituaries October 2017 New beginnings and final goodbyes at Avonmouth Dock As the scene of arrivals and choice and went on to enjoy departures, of new a wonderful life in the UK, beginnings and final bringing up seven children. goodbyes, ports will always Wilfred sadly died in 2004 have an emotional place in and after Norma passed people’s hearts. And at Bristol away in August, the Port Port, none more so than for received a call from their Norma and Wilfred Carroll. oldest daughter, Patricia, In 1951 the couple made the with a special request to momentous decision to scatter their ashes “in the emigrate to England from place where their lives really momentous moment for them so it felt right to Burma to start a new life with Mongolbegan rallyand whereadventurethey scatter their ashes together, at the berth where their young family. As they would have felt such the ship arrived over 66 years ago.” bravely boarded the ss the cold and damp of excitement for what lay Speaking after a small but beautiful ceremony at Salween from Rangoon to Avonmouth Dock, it was a ahead”. the Port, Patricia’s husband Robert said ‘It was Bristol, they knew it would be culture shock from the Patricia said: “I was only two really emotional but it felt right to do it here. If it is the last time they would ever world they knew. However, and a half at the time so I possible to have a good death, Patricia’s parents set foot in Burma. Four weeks Wilfred and Norma knew have no memories of that did, and we are thankful to Bristol Port for helping later, disembarking in they had made the right day. But this was a really make that happen.’ choice A Day in the Life October 2017 A day in the life of… Jack Fryatt, Shoalbuster Master Describe your role… What has been the most interesting thing to To maintain the depth of water in Royal happen in your role? Portbury and Avonmouth Docks and the Assisting MV Balmoral when she broke down in approach, so that vessels of up up 130,000 the City Docks and had to be escorted to dead weight tonnes can enter. Avonmouth Docks to be fixed. That was a little bit different. How long is a standard day? 12 hours. My role is unusual as I actually live What did you want to do when you were a child? on board the Graham Robertson for three to I have always wanted to work on boats – the twelve days at a time. (My home is actually in dream has come true! I left school at 16 in Essex Merseyside and I travel to Bristol for work) I and worked in a boat yard as a crane driver. normally get up around 0500 and then the From there I then started working on a working day begins. shoalbuster vessel working dredging contracts around Europe. When I met my fiancé, I wanted What is the best thing about your job? Mongol rally adventureto be able to stay in the UK and have a bit more The people! The marine team are fantastic What is your least favourite thing about your job? stability which Bristol Port offered me. and really supportive. It’s even better when Sounds a bit cliché, but there isn’t one really! I they bring me treats in the form of biscuits know it sounds boring so how about I tell you How often do you dredge the Docks? and sweets to keep the stocks onboard about the most repulsive thing I ever saw on the Every week. The Graham Robertson will clear 3 maintained! The other great thing is being job. I once saw a Cormorant bird eating a live eel! approximately one million m of silt from our able to see the Port from a different It took 15 minutes and it was the most disgusting entrances every year. The Severn Estuary is perspective from the water. thing I have ever witnessed! naturally full of sediment and mud, but luckily the Port has me and Graham to keep on top of it! Jeff’s IT Corner October 2017 This month Jeff is back from his holiday and back to give us helpful tips and hints. This time Jeff is talking about phishing emails, as every day, countless phishing emails are sent to unsuspecting • The offer seems too good to be true. victims all over the world. But how do you tell the e.g. You've won $3,000,000 difference between a phishing message and a • You're asked to send money to cover expenses.