Stornoway Port Authority was established in 1865 as Stornoway Pier and Harbour Commission and has served the community of the Outer Hebrides, Scotland for almost 150 years by developing, maintaining and managing the Port of Stornoway. The Port Authority employs 23 staff members on the Isle of Lewis and receives over 1500 vessel visits a year. As an independent statutory body, the Trust Port is governed by its own legislation and directed by a Board of ten, and all profits are reinvested back into the Harbour for the benefit of all stakeholders. Stornoway's natural harbour provides safe passage to the Outer Hebrides for a wide range of vessels including fishing, cruise and sailing vessels, and accommodates the lifeline ferry service between Stornoway and mainland Scotland.