WITH winds gusting as high as 57 knots, Storm Brian was destined to bring disruption but the community at the Port of Southampton measured up to the challenge.

Poor weather can be seen as usual for marine and port operations at the UK’s No 1 port for export but this weekend they worked hard to safely welcome some of the largest cruise ships, car carriers and container vessels in the world despite high winds and rough seas as Storm Brian passed through.

Harbour Master designate, Captain Phil Buckley, explained a great deal of planning and preparation was put in ahead of the storm arriving.

“Normally Southampton pilots join vessels at Nab Tower just off the Isle of Wight. We were expecting Navigator of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships that visits Southampton, so we took the precaution of sending the pilot to meet her in Le Havre rather than risking not being able to board her on the approach to the Solent,” he said.

The marine log for the weekend shows it was the pilots and the pilot launches operating out of Gosport that were affected most by the storm with several pilots not being able to disembark until they reached safer waters.

“Every time a pilot takes a ship out from the Port of Southampton they will take their passport with them just in case.

“And this weekend we had pilots who had to remain with their vessels until Le Havre and in one case Antwerp. Brixham was also used and is a regular disembarkation point for vessels heading out into the ocean,” said Captain Buckley.

The Port of Southampton has recently introduced a new way of working for the Service Delivery team and Storm Brian was the first major test for the team.

General manager Tim Bennett said he was delighted by the way the team, many of whom are new to their posts, pulled together to ensure it was a safe weekend.

“I was really pleased with how the service delivery team managed the situation over the weekend. Storm Brian did affect our schedule but the team showed they were equal to the challenge,” he said.

The efforts made by the Port of Southampton team were welcomed by Royal Caribbean Line’s port operations and guest port services manager, Lotfi Trabelsi.

“We managed to get through the weekend without disruption to our guests’ experience despite the weather conditions and we couldn’t have done it without your help,” he said.