A NORTH-EAST port has launched a safety patrol scheme to keep its waters safe and commercial vessels accessing the region.

The Port of Sunderland's water patrol officer campaign is running for a second year, and aims to tackle dangerous behaviour on the waterways.

Funded by Sunderland City Council, officers work alongside the coastguard, RNLI, and lifeguards, and last year attended to 12 casualties.

It was devised by harbour master, captain Kevin Ullah, and Neil Mearns, marine services and port facility security officer.

Capt Ullah said: “We have a responsibility to safeguard and protect people on the waters this scheme is helping us to make the docks here a safer environment for leisure users and commercial vessels coming in and out of the port.”

Last week, the Port of Sunderland announced Teesside shipping and transport company, LV Shipping, which brought steel plate from Rotterdam to Tag Energy Solutions, near Billingham, had moved to its waterways as it continues its growth.