UK Docks celebrates sea cadets links in National Cadets Week, 2026

AS National Cadets Week 2026 gets into full swing across the country (Oct 5-11), UK Docks Marine Services is celebrating its connections with South Shields Sea Cadets and looking to get involved with more Sea Cadet groups in the future.

The company, headquartered in South Shields, has long supported TS Collingwood (Unit 315) of the South Shields Sea Cadets Corps, based on Wapping Street, a short distance from UK Docks’ River Drive HQ.

UK Docks’ founder, Harry Wilson MBE, is honorary president of TS Collingwood,

Over the years, he has offered both funding and friendship to the thriving unit, with his latest contribution being to provide £10,000 for the construction of a new boat, Pickle, which was launched on the Tyne for the first time this summer.

New boat Pickle, at its official launch day into the River Tyne this summer.

The boat, which was named after the famous Royal Navy ship that brought news of the Battle of Trafalgar victory and the death of Lord Nelson back to England, was built by the North East Maritime Trust.
John Eltringham, chairman of TS Collingwood, said: "The project was initiated by our President, Harry, working alongside the Trust, but it soon became a family affair, with directors and managers at UK Docks very much offering advice and support.

“We’ve always been very grateful for Harry’s support over the years - his wise counsel, as much as his funding - and we would never have had Pickle were it not for UK Docks.

UK Docks founder, Harry Wilson, MBE, is also the honorary President of TS Collingwood, (Unit 315) South Shields Sea Cadets.

“As well as being a wonderful addition to our training fleet, its construction helped keep traditional boat building skills alive and its development was a great experience for our young cadets.”

Among UK Docks’ community goals in the years ahead is supporting more units, as the company has bases on Tyneside, Teesside, Gosport and Cremyll.
Across the country, Sea Cadets are a vital part of our maritime heritage and play an important role in inspiring the next generation to get involved in the marine industry.

South Shields Sea Cadets gained insights into boat construction during the building of new boat Pickle.

During National Cadets Week, units across the UK open their doors to schools, families and local communities, with activities including first aid demonstrations, STEM challenges, climbing walls, fieldcraft demonstrations and more. 

This year, Cadets Week is being used to launch the Cadets Action Plan - a guide to how the cadets intend to achieve the government’s ambition of a 30% increase in Cadets by 2035.

The organisation is divided into age groups and sections from entry level at age nine to 18, although Cadets typically range from 12 to 18.

The history of the Cadets dates back to the mid-19th century when a number of orphanages were established to look after children orphaned as a result of the Crimean War. 

Sailors returning from the Crimea helped run them. 

An organisation was then formed called the ‘Naval Lads’ Brigades’ and over the following 50 years or so, 34 Brigades of Boys were established. 

They were granted recognition by the Admiralty in 1919 and the title ‘Navy League Sea Cadet Corps’ was adopted.

Today, the cadet forces are very different to those early groups of young people. 

The focus now is on developing tomorrow’s citizens by providing challenging and interesting activities, while using the values and ethos of the armed forces to achieve this aim. 

Up to 40% of a cadet’s time is spent on adventurous training activities.

Cadets not only have the opportunity for self-development but they also get involved with volunteer and charitable work in the community. 

Cadet activities can lead to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or vocational qualifications. Adult volunteers can also gain nationally recognised qualifications.

Many cadets go on to join the Armed Forces, but cadets are not pressured to pursue military careers. 

The Ministry of Defence accepts that cadet force organisations add value to today's youth and, for this reason, continues to support them wholeheartedly.

• For more information on TS Collingwood, South Shields Sea Cadets, go to https://www.sea-cadets.org/southshields.

UK Docks named as finalists in prestigious Maritime Solent Awards

IN a double honour for UK Docks Marine Services, the company has been selected as a finalist for two Maritime Solent Awards.   

The UK Docks team at Gosport has made the shortlist in the SME of the Year and Maritime Defence Supply Chain Enterprise of the Year categories, with the winners to be announced at a black‑tie event on October 22nd, anticipated to be attended by over 300 maritime industry leaders from across the region.

UK Docks’ business development director, Ben Mason, said: “Being named as a finalist in these awards is recognition of the work the team has put in to ensure the business is growing and sustainable for years to come. 

“Our team continues to demonstrate exceptional capability, professionalism and commitment, and being named as finalists reflects the pride we take in supporting the UK’s maritime and defence sectors.

UK Docks business development director, Ben Mason.

The Maritime Solent Awards are now in their fifth year and have become one of the most prestigious fixtures in the regional maritime calendar.

Judges reported a record number of applications this year and praised the high calibre of entries, underlining the significance of UK Docks’ double nomination.

The UK Docks team in Gosport have seen sustained growth and investment, strengthening its role in supporting Ministry of Defence vessels, including the Royal Navy, Police and Border Force boats with maintenance, repair and engineering services. 

In recent months, the team has won three new Ministry of Defence contracts which will see work sustained on specialist craft such as rigid inflatable boats and small fleet assets, with additional recruitment of project managers, marine engineers and shipwrights already underway to further grow the UK Docks team. The maintenance of these vessels has contributed directly to operational readiness and fleet reliability. 

Being named as a finalist in the Maritime Defence Supply Chain Enterprise category reflects this impact, recognising organisations that demonstrate excellence, responsiveness and innovation in defence‑related maritime support.

The SME of the Year shortlisting recognises the company’s broader achievements as a dynamic and growing maritime business, not only supporting the defence sector.  

UK Docks Marine Services continues to expand its capabilities across the Solent region, investing in skills, apprenticeships and infrastructure to meet rising demand.

The Gosport team’s contribution to local employment and the wider maritime economy has been widely acknowledged, reinforcing the company’s reputation as a trusted partner in both defence and commercial marine engineering.

Ben Mason added: “We look forward to the awards evening in October and celebrating the efforts of all those who were successfully nominated.”

Congratulations also go to fellow finalists Force Development Services (FDS) Ltd and OEMA in the Maritime Defence Supply Chain Enterprise category, and to GT Wings and XB44 in the SME of the Year category.

UK Docks joins the Society of Maritime Industries as the largest independent, family-owned ship repair and marine engineering company in the UK

UK Docks Marine Services has joined The Society of Maritime Industries (SMI), the trade association for the UK’s maritime engineering, science and technology community.

The membership represents an important step for both organisations and reflects a shared commitment to supporting the growth, innovation and long-term success of the UK's maritime sector.

It brings together the UK's largest independent family-owned ship repair and marine engineering business with the industry's principal representative body, creating new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing and sector development.

For UK Docks, membership provides access to an influential network of maritime businesses, government stakeholders and industry leaders. For SMI, UK Docks brings extensive operational knowledge and experience from across the commercial and defence sectors.
UK Docks’ managing director, Jonathan Wilson, said: “We are impressed by the work the SMI do representing the maritime industry in the UK and internationally.

“And it is the right time for us to join this important industry body, and contribute to their mission of developing, growing and improving the British maritime industry.

UK Docks MD, Jonathan Wilson

“We are pleased to join and support them, especially as our own position in the UK maritime industry continues to expand and develop in both the commercial and defence sectors, helping them to strengthen sovereign UK maritime capability.”

The SMI is an established lobbying group which seeks to enable maritime organisations of all types and sizes to thrive.

Through its engagement with industry, government, defence stakeholders and international partners, SMI is established as an influential group, strengthening the competitiveness, innovation and global reach of the British maritime sector and supporting organisations of all types and sizes to thrive. 

It does this through industry, government and stakeholder engagement, annual conferences, overseas events, and trade missions.

The society supports members in raising their profile and developing meaningful collaborations, providing business and networking opportunities throughout the year.

With facilities in the North East and on the South Coast, UK Docks contributes extensive ship repair, marine engineering and defence-support expertise to the SMI membership community. The company's practical operational experience will complement SMI's strategic reach and support the shared ambition to expand UK maritime capability.

UK Docks’ directors experienced that support during a recent visit by SMI chief executive officer, Tom Chant MBE, to our headquarters in South Shields.

Tom was part of an industry-wide group which met to explore UK Docks’ current services, future plans and how the company, working with partners like SMI, could help benefit and support the country’s maritime sector.

As well as Tom, UK Docks welcomed South Shields MP, Emma Lewell, Thomas Knowles, the Royal Navy Regional Commander for Northern England and the Isle of Man, Susie Izumi from the Office of Investment and Lesley Hawke of the North East Regional Defence and Security Cluster (NERDSC).

The cross-organisational meeting demonstrated the value of bringing together industry, government, defence and regional stakeholders, identifying opportunities for investment, skilled employment and advancing maritime capability.

Tom said: "It was a pleasure to visit UK Docks and see first-hand the capability they bring to the UK maritime sector. As one of the country's major independent ship repair and marine engineering businesses, they make an important contribution to both commercial and defence maritime activity. 

"We are delighted to welcome UK Docks into SMI. Their operational experience and expertise will strengthen our membership community and help us continue bringing industry, government and defence stakeholders together to support growth, investment, innovation and skills across the sector.  

"We look forward to working closely with the UK Docks team in the years ahead.”

As a trusted advisor to the UK government, SMI looks to create new momentum for the industry as a whole. It has a unique perspective on how to create new levels of maritime innovation within its own diverse member community.

Membership takes effect immediately, with UK Docks and SMI working towards a shared ambition to strengthen UK maritime capability, supporting innovation, developing skills and creating opportunities for the wider maritime engineering community.

The Emerald Duchess begins vital River Tees work after UK Docks visit

A MAJOR upgrade to Teesport’s sustainability credentials has arrived on the River Tees in the shape of the £23m dredger, Emerald Duchess.

At 71m long and with its brilliant green livery, the vessel is set to become an iconic sight on the River Tees.

And UK Docks was proud to ensure she was at her best, with Emerald Duchess entering dry dock briefly for a period of planned maintenance before taking up her duties. 

The Emerald Duchess in UK Docks Teesside’s dry dock

They are absolutely key duties too, with Emerald Duchess’s dredging abilities vital to keeping Teesport safe and accessible for commercial fleets and the many thousands of vessels that enter the Tees each year.

The state-of-the-art, trailing suction hopper dredger can carry 2,500 tonnes and hold up to 2,000 cubic metres of dredged material.

The new addition on the Tees marks a major investment by PD Ports into the economic and environmental sustainability of the river.

The brilliant green Emerald Duchess is set to become an eye-catching sight on the River Tees.

The vessel boasts an innovative intelligent power management system and is able to swap between power from a battery pack equivalent to 10 Tesla cars and fuel made from hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), also known as renewable diesel.

She has also been ‘future-proofed’ as part of PD Ports’ commitment to becoming the UK’s most sustainable port company.

It is also ready for future innovation, with hatches above the engine room that will allow power units to be swapped out for modern fuel cells as the technology matures, using methanol or ethanol fuel.

PD Ports chief executive officer, Frans Calje, said: “It is an honour to have welcomed the Emerald Duchess to the Tees to be officially recognised a British vessel, registered in Middlesbrough.

“The Emerald Duchess is a major investment for PD Ports and represents our commitment to the river and the wider responsibilities placed on us as Statutory Harbour Authority for the Port of Tees and Hartlepool.

Defence and maritime leaders visit UK Docks to discuss regional investment, growth and development

SOUTH Shields MP, Emma Lewell, was guest of honour at UK Docks Marine Services headquarters on River Drive in a meeting aimed at boosting business across maritime and defence sectors .

Emma led and facilitated high-level discussions that brought together multiple agencies and organisations united by a desire to develop the area and drive the maritime sector forward.

South Shields MP, Emma Lewell, (in red jacket), along with UK Dock directors and key leaders in maritime and defence.

This was an important opportunity for UK Docks, with Managing Director Jonathan Wilson, Director Chris Wilson, Director Gary Wilson, Operations Director Stephen Lee, Business Development Director Ben Mason and Finance Director, John Armstrong all taking part.

As well as Emma, UK Docks welcomed Thomas Knowles, the Royal Navy Regional Commander for Northern England and the Isle of Man, Tom Chant MBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI),  Lesley Hawke MIEx (RTC/North East Regional Defence and Security Cluster NERDSC) and Susie Izumi, from the Office for Investment.

The meeting explored the role of the maritime and defence sectors in supporting regional prosperity, creating high-quality jobs and apprenticeships, and enhancing the North East’s position as a key hub for industrial and defence-related activity.

Discussions included the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), the UK Industrial Strategy, and opportunities to strengthen investment, skills development and economic growth across the North East region.

UK Docks business development director, Ben Mason, said: "The visit provided an opportunity for representatives from UK Docks, the Royal Navy, the Office for Investment (OfI), Society of Maritime Industries (SMI) and regional stakeholders to discuss current activities and opportunities within defence and the maritime sector.

"It was great to see the local MP doing such an excellent job in bringing everyone together.

Managing Director, Jonathan Wilson, said: “We were delighted to welcome such prestigious guests to River Drive, where we could showcase our headquarters in South Shields, plus our new 80,000 square foot facility further along River Drive, as well as our capabilities across the country and global reach.

“We are all working towards the same goal, wanting the UK maritime sector to reach its full potential and to grow and develop in a way which would be of huge benefit to the region.

“We’re all working hard and investing in this sector and when you’re able to get people from all the different organisations in the same room, exciting things happen.

“You learn about everyone’s expertise and knowledge and also what we all might achieve when we’re able to work together, all of us working together will be stronger than any one organisation working on its own.”

Pictured, left to right, are John Armstrong, Stephen Lee, Susie Izumi, Jonathan Wilson, Lesley Hawke MIEx, Emma Lewell, MP, Tom Chant MBE, Gary Wilson, Thomas Knowles and Ben Mason,