I joined her as 3rd Officer on the Tyne, then we headed out to sea for trials that felt like they would never end. After finally returning, we conducted load tests on the two cranes to verify their Safe Working Load. From there, we made our way up to Invergordon to await a job — but nothing ever came through.

There was some discussion about installing a heliport, but it never materialized.

What stands out most from that time—aside from my fascination with the old Royal Navy storerooms and the working forge—was the struggle management had in blending the shore-based approach with the Merchant Navy structure. The shoreside team wasn’t too pleased about us wearing uniforms!

I still have the press release from when we completed sea trials and officially became operational. It was quite an experience, even if only a brief one — about a month, all told. I signed off in Invergordon and caught the train down to Penzance... but that’s a story for another day.