Portland

Portland Port makes splash with twin christening

September 15, 2025 12:08

It was a double celebration at Portland Port when a naming ceremony was held for two new state-of-the art vessels. Dignitaries and guests watched the christening of the Wyke Castle tug and the Silverwell pilot boat on the port’s Dock Jetty before an exhilarating demonstration of the vessels’ capabilities. The multi-million-pound investment in the new for Portland Harbour Authority’ comes as the port continues to grow. It follows the opening of a £26m new deepwater berth in 2023. Portland Port chairman Christopher Langham was joined for the naming ceremony by the Naval Regional Commander for Wales, the West of England and Channel Islands, Commodore Tristram Kirkwood OBE ADC RN and Commodore Sam Shattock, Commodore of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ( RFA). A commemorative plaque was unveiled on the Wyke Castle before Commodore Shattock named and blessed the tug with a bottle of sparkling wine from the Langham Wine Estate. Mr Langham said: “We are here to name this fine tug boat and we also have a new pilot boat for good measure. We really now have the full toolkit and can go out and grow the business even further.” Commodore Shattock said: “It’s an amazing honour and privilege to be here to name this vessel.” He added ‘God bless her and all who sail in her’ before breaking the bottle against the ship. The ceremony also included a champagne reception and a lunch for more than 30 guests. They included the Mayor of Portland Town Council Cllr Charlie Flack and Mayoress Maria Flack. Crew from the visiting RFA Lyme Bay also attended along with businesses based at the port, councillors, representatives from Dorset Council, Portland residents and Weymouth Town Council Mayor Caroline Nickinson and Mayor’s Consort Richard Nickinson. Wyke Castle continued in the tradition of being named after local castles, apart from the previous tug which was named in honour of late Portland Port director Rupert Best in 2021. The port’s pilot boats are named after local wells with the Silverwell being the latest. Portland Port chief executive Bill Reeves said: “These new, state-of-the-art vessels represent further significant, multi-million-pound investment in the business. “They will enhance our capabilities and enable the growth of our business as well as that of our customers and tenants at the port while supporting the local economy.” The Wyke Castle joins the Rupert Best and Maiden Castle in the port’s fleet. She will be used for towage, manoeuvring and support for a diverse range of vessels, including cruise, merchant and MOD ships.