Maritime UK Week Port Profiles: Day 1 – Lottie

For Maritime UK Week 2022, the Port of Dover is spotlighting the wide range of careers available within the maritime industry. From school leavers and new grads to those changing careers, there’s a huge amount on offer. Each day this week, we’ll be sharing a profile of an individual who works at the Port of Dover to provide an insight into what everyday life is like within a maritime-focused role and the experiences and opportunities on offer.

Lottie – Environment Assistant (Work Placement)

What made you want to join this industry? 

I am an Environmental Geography student at Cardiff University, here for my placement year as a part of my course. I have chosen to work with the Port of Dover as the job role offered a wider range of experience than other placements. I also enjoy working for a larger company as I am gaining insight into all the different job roles that enable the Port to run smoothly.

What do you enjoy most about your role? 

I enjoy the environmental surveys most, we complete a bird survey weekly and we complete quarterly air, benthic, trawling, water, littoral and terrestrial surveys where we go out into the field to collect the required data. Recently we completed our trawling survey in the harbour where we identified several different species which were released straight back into the sea. Some of our findings can be seen in the pictures below. 

What would you say to someone who wants to join the industry? 

This placement is a brilliant opportunity for me as I have been able to gain a wide range of experience including office-based work, lab-based work and fieldwork. The role has opened my eyes to how many people and different jobs there are within the Port to keep it running smoothly. 

What are your strengths that make your job in this industry stimulating? 

Be inquisitive. This placement is a year-long and then I go back to my finish my degree, so it is the perfect chance to find out as much as possible about the industry and everyone’s roles.

Lottie’s Typical Work Week

Monday

AM: Research of when the port will be affected by sea level rise, summary report using Climate Central flood mapping tool.

PM: Marina electrical vehicle survey analysis of results, making graphs on excel.

Tuesday

AM: Trawling survey on the vessel ‘Diana’.

PM: Input of trawling data.

Wednesday

AM: Waste paperwork for cargo and cruise ships. Environment team meeting, given new tasks.

PM:Put up Bathing water quality posters, hazardous waste check and skip checks at cruise and cargo.

Thursday

AM: Environmental alerts.

PM: Eastern bird survey.

Friday

AM: Environment reporting. Calibrate water probe.

PML: Run through internal audit and SHEQ team meeting.

If you are interested in a career at the Port of Dover please contact us at recruitment@doverport.co.uk or take a look at our vacancy page at www.doverport.co.uk/about/recruitment/