Awards are smooth sailing for Ashley

Forth Ports’ Ashley Nicholson (29), from Larbert, won a Scottish Engineering Hammermen of Glasgow Award for the part she played in managing the marine operations during the construction of the new Queensferry Crossing in the River Forth.

Ashley was presented with the trophy by Vice Admiral Simon Lister at a recent awards dinner in Glasgow.

The prestigious annual award is presented to an engineer or manager who has shown outstanding contribution to a business.

The young harbour master said: “I am thrilled to receive this award. Working on the bridge project is a fantastic experience and has not been without its challenges. I am grateful to my marine colleagues for the support on this project and we are looking forward to seeing the bridge opened later this year.”

Ashley is the youngest certificated Harbour Master in the UK and is responsible for marine activity on the inner Forth Estuary which, during the construction of the bridge, has seen an increase in traffic of around 5000 vessels.

Forth Ports director Stuart Wallace said: “We are extremely proud of Ashley’s achievements. She and our marine team have played an invaluable part ensuring the river activity has been well co-ordinated to allow smooth passage for the hundreds of vessels using it each day.”