Congratulations to Pilot Cutter skipper Rodney Thompson who was given a grand send off as he left PD Ports after completing an extraordinary 47 years of service.
Rodney has made a lasting contribution to the business, the river community and the many people who have worked alongside him over the decades. He has represented himself but also the company to the highest standards, with pride and commitment, as he weathered countless storms and challenging waters ensuring the safe transfer of many, many pilots over the years.
A Pilot Cutter is a fast, agile small workboat that takes maritime pilots out to incoming merchant ships waiting in the Tees Bay, with the skipper using their skill to come alongside the tanker or container ship in all sea and weather conditions to allow the pilot to safely jump from the small cutter across to the larger vessel. The maritime pilot then guides the larger vessel safely into Teesport through the harbour channel and safely to its berth.
Over the decades, Rodney became a familiar and respected figure on the river, spending most of his working life on the pilot boats. It’s role that demands technical skill, calm judgement and total reliability. For countless visiting vessels to Teesport, Rodney was one of the first and last voices they heard, and he represented both himself and the company with professionalism throughout his career.
Rodney joined the THPA Pilotage Company on 6 February 1979. His application and offer letters were read aloud at the celebration of his career and still paint a vivid picture of the time – Rodney was appointed as a Relief Captain, asked to report to the Sea Station at 8am to begin his training, and offered annual pay of £4,068.81 and short hand bonus of £3.94, including benefits of company-funded transport to and from South Gare provided by Rodgers Station Taxis.
His service was also marked by moments of distinction. A letter on Rodney’s personnel file confirms he was awarded £116.20 in recognition of his involvement in the Vestria incident on 21st September 1983, where the vessel suffered a blackout and Rodney held the vessel off from collision with a buoy until tugs could arrive.
Rodney also used his boat-handling skills as a member of the Redcar Lifeboat crew and ,in 1989, was recognised by the RNLI for his part in rescuing three people during an incident involving the fishing vessel Gang Warily, receiving a letter of thanks for his role as helmsman.
Speaking at the ceremony to say farewell, Rodney spoke about the challenges of skippering the pilot cutters in heavy fog (‘like driving down the motorway with a blindfold on’), tales of gifts given to the cutters and pilots from vessel crews and the lack of technology in his early days on the Tees.
He said: “When I started out there was no GPS – we used a compass and a watch. There was also only one radar unit between three cutters – we had to lift it all out with its paraphernalia and put it in a van when we needed to swap to another vessel.
“I’ve been involved with plenty of rescues over the years because we were out there 24/7 on the cutters, we were always nearby. I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve met some great friends and colleagues and I’ll miss it. But that’s me – over and out.”
Chris Stocks, PD Ports’ Marine Director, said: “It is rare to find someone whose commitment spans nearly half a century and rarer still to see that same passion and pride carried through every year of service.
“Rodney lives and breathes the port and river community, and his professionalism, good humour and genuine kindness have made him not only a respected skipper, but also a mentor, a friend and a beacon of reliability to so many people.”
Frans Calje, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Rodney’s story is woven into the history of this business. From the day he joined in February 1979, through THPA Pilotage Company, Tees and Hartlepool Port Authority and PD Ports, he has shown the kind of steady commitment that leaves a lasting mark.
“Looking back at his original application letter and offer, and seeing the journey that followed, it is clear that he has given this business far more than years of service – he has given dedication, knowledge and a standard of professionalism that others have looked up to for decades.”
Jerry Hopkinson, Executive Chairman, said: “The pilot service plays a vital role in the safe and efficient operation of our ports, and people like Rodney are central to that success.
“Over many years, and often in challenging conditions, he has brought skill, experience and sound judgement to a job that carries enormous responsibility. His contribution has been immense, not only in operational terms but in the trust and respect he has earned from colleagues across the business and the wider maritime community.”
As part of the celebration marking Rodney’s departure, Jerry and Frans presented him with the old Government Jetty sign, along with a diagram of Hartlepool Harbour from the year he started with the company – a fitting tribute to someone whose career has been so closely tied to the history and heritage of the river.