A timelapse video of a North East ferry has caught the attention of enthusiasts from across the Atlantic in Seattle, USA.
The footage showcased the relaunch of the Pride of the Tyne into the river at the South Shields Ferry after undergoing repairs and maintenance.
Yard manager Ian Paolozzi features prominently in the video, as he meticulously coordinates the ferry's return to the water.
His dedication resonated with a group of Seattle-based ferry enthusiasts who run a BlueSky social media account covering Washington State Ferries' activities.
The picture of the Ferry sent over from the US (Image: Supplied)
With more than 14,000 followers, they not only shared the relaunch video on their platform but also crafted a personalised image to honour Ian's work.
This image was sent to UK Docks Marine Services HQ in South Shields.
William Polly, who manages the Seattle-based account, explained their admiration: "We are marine enthusiasts who were quite taken by the sole workman at the shore end of the slipway whose body language expresses the anguish, concern, pride, and joy of anyone who has ever watched a vessel relaunch, no matter how routine.
"The stop-action nature of the video catches him in a variety of poses that pretty much says it all about a diligent and concerned worker.
"The screen grab was a little blurry, so we created a sketch of him in our favourite illustrative style - that of a 1950s 'Ladybird Children's' book - which we send to him with our best wishes."
This week, Ian was presented with a framed copy of the image by director Gary Wilson.
Ian said: "I was really touched by the poster they sent because they were recognising that a relaunch like that is always a tense time, no matter how often it's done."
The Pride of the Tyne ferry, weighing in at more than 200 tonnes, is the largest vessel to be slipped/unslipped from the water at UK Docks.
UK Docks director Gary Wilson said: "We were delighted to see Ian's work recognised in this way and we will hang the framed image in our offices at South Shields as a reminder of a lovely gesture which we appreciated."