Staff Profiles
Captain Nigel Mills, Director of Marine Services
Captain Mills was appointed to the post of Director of Harbours with Orkney Islands Council in August 2001. He is responsible for the safe and cost effective operation of the ports and harbours including the Oil Port of Scapa Flow that make up the Orkney Islands Competent Harbour Authority. The Oil Port of Scapa Flow handles up to 10 million tonnes of crude and fuel oil per annum. Orkney is also the 3rd most popular cruise destination in the UK, handling on average 75 cruise liners and 30,000 passengers annually.
Captain Mills was Operations Manager with the Northern Lighthouse Board based in Edinburgh between 1996-2001, assuming responsibility for the maintenance of all floating Aids to Navigation around the Scottish coast and providing the Board's Navigation Committee with expert advice. Between 1993-1996 Captain Mills was Marine Superintendent for Shetland Islands Council inter island ferry service.
Along a long and varied career at sea with companies such as BP, Ugland, Walhams and finally Denholms, culminated in a command of a large car carrier transporting vehicles between ports in Northern Europe.
Captain Mills is a Board Member of Orkney Ferry Services which provide inter island ferry links supporting and promoting transport between the many islands that make up the Orkneys; and is also the Managing Director of Orkney Towage Services and is responsible to the Board of Directors for the day to day operation of the company which provide services to the tanker traffic trading in Scapa Flow Oil Port. He is also the Chairman of the British Ports Association Scottish Ports.
Captain David Thomson, Head of Marine Services (Operations)
After a career of over 30 years at sea with several years experience as Master, David came ashore to work in ship management with involvement in Marine Consultancy and surveying, progressing into port operations including pilotage, and commercial development.
He Joined Orkney Towage in May 2003 as Marine Superintendent and was appointed Head of Operations for Marine Services in March 2009.
Mr John Orr, Head of Marine Services (Port Development)
With over 40 years experience in all areas of civil engineering design, construction and management, John was appointed Head of Marine Services (Port Development) on the 3rd March 2010. Previously Head of Environmental and Engineering Services at Orkney Islands Council, John who holds a BSc. in civil engineering has worked in the UK and overseas with consultants, contractors and in the Public Sector. John is heavily involved in the piers and harbours upgrades and new developments planned to serve the emerging renewables industry and other service areas.
Mr David Sawkins, Head of Marine Services (Support)
David was appointed Head of Marines Services (Support) on the 1st April 2009 having previously been the Ferry Services Manager for Orkney Ferries since 2005.
David, who holds a BSc(hons) degree in engineering and management studies, was previously the Divisional Manager in engineering services, marine operations with Shetland Islands Council prior to joining Orkney Ferries.
Mr Brian Pottinger, Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) and Berthing Manager
Previously Brian worked for Orkney Ferries Ltd for 8 years sailing as Chief Officer for 4 years before joining the Orkney Harbours Team in 2000 as a Marine Officer.
In 2004, he was promoted to Assistant Oil Pollution / Safety / Marine Officer and following a restructure in 2005 became the VTS Manager prior to taking up his current position.
Brian's portfolio oversees the provision and development of the port VTS and the co-ordination of services for vessel arrivals and departures. He is also the line manager for all pier staff and is responsible for Port Security where he is the designated Port Facility Security Officer.
Brian holds a Diploma in Port Management with accreditation in managing cargo operations in port.
Mr Alex Simpson, Scientific Officer Environmental Unit
Alex has been associated with the Harbour Authority in Orkney for over 35 year, via Dundee University and for the last 17 years as Scientific Officer. A biologist by training with a Bachelor of Science degree, he has been involved in the various monitoring programmes in Scapa Flow and the surrounding waters.His fields of expertise are in Oil Spill Contingency Planning and ballast water management issues.
Captain Abul Alam, Marine Superintendent
Captain Alam is a Master Mariner (FGN) with twenty five years of experience over various capacities on board Ro-Ros, Bulk Carriers, VLCCs, and General Cargo and Multi-purpose vessels.
He started his sea career following 2 years pre-sea Cadet training from Bangladesh Marine Academy. He also studied for his professional degrees in Cork Ireland, Fleetwood and South Tyneside College. He served in several shipping companies with the last one being for 14 years with Barber Ship Management. Prior to moving ashore, he sailed as Master nearly 5 years on board Car Carriers / Ro-Ro vessels owned by NYK and K-Line.
Having worked as a Nautical Lecturer in NFC Marine centre, Shetland for a year he then took up the position of Deputy Marine Superintendent with Orkney Ferries in 2006. After the launch of the Local Authority's Marine Services division in 2009, he was promoted to Marine Superintendent of Marine Services.
Captain Iain MacIver, Marine Superintendent
Captain MacIver has significant past experience in the operation of Ro-Ro and passenger ferry services as a STCW ll/2 Master both in management ashore and management at sea. He was recently employed with Pentland Ferries as Designated Person Ashore & Company Security Officer and prior to that he worked for Orkney Ferries for 15 years sailing as Mate and Master.
His responsibilities with Orkney Marine Services will include safety, manning and line management responsibilities for sea staff, auditing vessels and maintaining the Company Safety Management System.
Mr Kevin Bain, Port Marine Safety / Counter Pollution Manager
Kevin joined the Department of Harbours in 2006 as a Marine Officer, having spent 12 years as a Navigating Officer in the Merchant Navy.
In 2007 he was promoted to the position of Counter Pollution / Quality Assurance Manager with the responsibilities of ensuring the readiness of the Division to respond to pollution incidents and also to maintain the Divisions Safety Management System and related documentation.
Additionally Kevin is the Health and Safety and Training Manager for Marine Services.
Ms Hazel Stephen, Office Manager
Hazel has been with the Department of Harbours since 1976 and is one of the Councils longest serving employees having served under 5 Directors of Harbours. After spending 8 years as a clerical assistant and 2 years as secretary, she was promoted to Administration Support.
Hazel is responsible for personnel matters, sales and purchase ledgers, budget control, and the day to day administration duties of the Marine Services Division.
Mr Michael Morrison, Business Development Manager
Michael is the first Business Development Manager to be appointed to the Marine Services Division. He joined the Service in January of 2009 having previously been the General Manager for Loganair at Kirkwall Airport.
An Orcadian by birth, Michael spent 13 years in the British Army and then worked residential property in England and Scotland before spending 11 years in the Far East in Business Development and Project Management.
Michael is responsible to the Director of Harbours for revenue generation and market awareness for all facets of the Ports Estates, Inter Island Ferry and Towage Services.