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Humber pilot's take on the 'ship-shape' approach to Covid-19 from the maritime industry

Former Navy submarine navigator on the new threat to the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ - coronavirus - as pandemic forces first cadets to learn from home

Humber pilot Ben Jeffrey aboard a pilot launch at Port of Grimsby.(Image: ABP Humber)

A former nuclear submarine navigator has given an insight into the key worker role he is now playing as the battle against the biggest current threat to the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ - coronavirus - continues.

Ben Jeffrey left the Royal Navy a year ago to join Associated British Ports as a Humber pilot - sailing out to vessels about to enter the estuary, then guiding them to their moorings.

While it is a physically challenging job - often involving a rope ladder climb up the side of a giant cargo-carrying ship to join the crew - he no doubt thought his days of dealing with unseen killers had been left behind with his departure from the trident missile fleet deterrent.

Now he is back on the front line, ensuring and that Britain keeps its lights on, vehicles running and supermarket shelves stocked amid the Covid-19 pandemic, with the Grimsby-based team having adopted a range of new working practices.

(Image: PA Wire)

Mr Jeffrey, who has swapped the Vanguard class submarine for a Class Three pilot badge, helping crews to safely pass from the Spurn Light Float in the Humber approaches of the North Sea to Goole or Gainsborough - and the larger ports of Grimsby, Hull and Immingham inbetween, said: “The main changes in our work have included our interaction with others and the equipment we use, along with some of our procedures.

“Hygiene on a ship has always been of paramount importance - a healthy ship is a happy ship. Like the Covid-19 pandemic, illness can travel fast in the confined quarters of a ship, especially when people share facilities such as toilets, showers and recreation rooms. It would be valid to state that seafarers are well versed in the cleaning requirements to combat this pandemic - they have been keeping ships in ‘shipshape and Bristol fashion’ for a long time.

“Naturally crews can be wary of ‘visitors’ boarding their ship and, clearly as a pilot we are visitors and must respect their need to maintain strict hygiene and not pose a threat to the crew.”

Qualifying in the new year after completing ABP’s six month Humber Pilot Trainee programme, he is now working for the largest harbour district in the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ.