Aberdeen Harbour Board is opening up special slots for vessels to book into the port, so that the key workers on board can stock up on food, fuel and important parts.
The body has created the four-hour “welfare slots” to spare crews working on boats moored nearby the bother of making a full booking to call in at the port.
The scheme is open to all vessels at the anchorage and will be reviewed at the end of the lockdown period, with a view to it being extended.
Port operations manager, John McGuigan said: “Dues for coming into the harbour are normally paid by the company chartering the vessel and they book a full port call to allow the vessel to be loaded with cargo.
“During the Covid-19 crisis, however, when there is less work available, we wanted to support vessel owners and crews who are currently not on charter – and to ensure their welfare throughout these unprecedented times.
“We are calling the scheme ‘stow and go’ but I guess it is a bit like booking your pick-up slot at the supermarket.”
Harbour chief executive, Michelle Handforth, added: “Whilst crews are in between work they can spend significant time out at the Aberdeen anchorage – there are on average 20 vessels on any given day located there.
“We were keen to make the situation as conducive as possible for those crew who, along with those keeping the port open, are essential workers doing their bit in this crisis.”
