The video takes viewers ‘Behind the Gates’ of the municipal port, which is owned and operated by Cumberland Council, as the local Harbour Authority.

On ‘The Wild Life of John’s’ YouTube page, the video showcases the cargo handling facilities manned by port staff on the Prince of Wales dock, as well as Workington’s RNLI base.

Mark, pilot boat coxswain at the Port of Workington and John, who documents Cumbria in a positive light on his YouTube channel. (Image: The Wild Life of Johns)

Speaking to Mark, the port’s pilot boat coxswain, John heard that the port has come on “leaps and bounds.”

Mark said: “Ben, the port manager, he’s been here just under two years and everything’s progressing forward, it’s amazing.

“He’s got us a new boat, he’s getting the dock gates replaced, he’s organised the site over there to be sorted out, he does do a lot down here.”

Manager Ben Meil has been working to re-establish Workington as a strategic hub, serving England, Wales and Scotland.

Inside the Helvellyn, a tugboat purchased for the port from Germany in 2023. (Image: The Wild Life of Johns)

John was given a tour of the port’s new tugboat, ‘The Helvellyn,’ so named because England’s third highest mountain watches over the Prince of Wales dock.

‘Helvellyn’ is equipped with a Toimil Marine crane to assist port staff with their work.

Mark said: “This boat is a lot better for pushing onto the ships. It’s a tug/pilot boat, that’s what we use it for.”

An old locomotive still operational at the Port of Workington (Image: The Wild Life of Johns)

The Dorothy May White RNLI lifeboat. (Image: The Wild Life of Johns)

Heading to the Workington RNLI base at the port, John heard about the Davit arm which carries the lifeboat (with volunteers on board) and places it in the water.

Workington RNLI is served by the only Davit arm in the UK.

As well as the crane that lifts it, John was shown the £2.2million Dorothy May White lifeboat.

John said: “A huge thank you to Mark and the staff at the Port of Workington for the invitation and for taking the time to show me how it all works behind the gates. It was a fantastic experience to see the port in all its glory.”

The Wild Life of John’s YouTube channel showcases Cumbria through fishing, outdoor adventures, and visits to places of interest across the county.