Article

Costa Diadema transits Suez under remote pilotage


by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 3 April 2020 1029 -

Text and photo by Suez Canal Authority

65 Coronavirus cases were reported on board
On Monday, March 23, 2020, Admiral Osama Rabie announced the successful transit of the Italian passenger ship COSTA DIADEMA in the northbound convoy through the new Suez Canal, coming from the United Arab Emirates heading to Italy. Special measures were applied, as 65 Coronavirus cases were reported on board which required piloting the vessel remotely through pilotage team boarded on two escorting tugs in full coordination with the transit control offices and navigation monitoring stations in a first of its kind scenario in the history of the Suez Canal.

Special measures in times of COVID-19
Admiral Rabie highlighted that the applied special measures were adopted to ensure a safe transit for the vessel in light of the Suez Canal Authority commitment to Egypt’s comprehensive plan aiming to counter the Coronavirus, in full coordination with the Ministry of Health and quarantine directories according to the directives of the World Health Organization (WHO). H.E. pointed out the full readiness of the SCA to deal with the Coronavirus crisis in a systematic and scientific way through multiple scenarios including remote pilotage, utilizing advanced technology of marine navigation, and intensive training for SCA pilots on marine maneuvers.

Fast transit
He also noted that the authority took in consideration the humanitarian dimension when dealing with the Italian vessel by taking unprecedented measures to ensure a safe and fast transit for the vessel without keeping it waiting in the anchorage area, which guaranteed the vessel a quick arrival for its destination, ensuring that the infected cases can get their medical treatment in the fastest possible way. The applied measures also included receiving the vessel in the Canal at 4 AM, with a time interval before the northbound convoy. In addition to appointing four senior pilots to guide the vessel on two escorting tugs, one in the front and one astern, as well as radar guidance and minute by minute follow-up, in full coordination with transit control offices and navigation monitoring stations along the Canal.

H.E. has also referred to the full commitment of SCA to the directives of H.E. President Abdelfatah Elsisi in carrying out its strategic role in serving the global trade, and to meet the ambitions of all the business partners and clients by dealing with a conscious vision with all unprecedented challenges and circumstances such as bad weather and the novel Coronavirus, so that the Canal remains the real lifeline of the whole world.
Admiral Rabie also stressed the importance of taking all the precautionary and preventive measures to ensure the continuity of navigation in the Canal while guaranteeing the safety of those who get in close contact with the transiting vessels through vaccinating them against the flu and pneumonia, carrying regular medical check-ups on the pilots, surveyors, and mooring men upon embarking and disembarking the transiting vessels by a fully-equipped and qualified medical team stationed at the pilotage marinas in the three Canal cities. In addition to applying general health measures such as wearing facemasks, gloves, and full isolation suits, as well as using disinfectants.

Admiral Rabie concluded by extending his sincere appreciation to the pilots, Transit Dept. staff, as well as all SCA staff for their hard work and for performing their duty under any circumstances by mere patriotism and unprecedented efficiency.

Join the conversation...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
DC
Don Cockrill MBE United Kingdom
on 3 April 2020, 10:52 UTC

This is not remote pilotage - it is pilotage escort. the two are very different things. Until such a time as the concept of "remote pilotage" is legally defined and more importantly proven effective with all the necessary control measures and mitigations that exist within any "conventional" pilotage act - "remote pilotage" remains simply a phrase and nothing more. Remote guidance, remote assistance and other similar terms are used in certain parts of the world but require significant investment in training and technology. Even so it is recognised that they are not a replacement for the pilot being on the bridge - the only place that "piloting" a ship can truly safely and efficiently take place.
0

René Hartung Lotsenbrüderschaft NOK II Kiel / Lübeck / Flensburg, Germany
on 3 April 2020, 09:30 UTC

Althouh I can understand the precautionary measures in the present situation, I hope that this will stay an exemption.

Remote pilotage can be executed in a variety of ways - not all are suited as a substitute for a pilot on board
0

Read more...

Article IMPA is hosting examples of best practice and protocols during Covid-19 times

by IMPA - International Maritime Pilots’ Association - published on 26 March 2020

IMPA has published examples of best practice together with a letter from Capt. Simon Pelletier, President of IMPA.

0

Article How to Avoid Catching COVID19 whilst Piloting

by The United Kingdom Maritime Pilots' Association - published on 31 March 2020

The United Kingdom Maritime Pilots' Association (UKMPA) has all been inundated with CV19 communications from all manner of sources in the last few weeks. Here is a condensed collection of information from the UKMPA.

0

Article Corona causes financial impact on some Marine Pilots

by Frank Diegel - published on 8 April 2020

Fewer vessels in voyage mean less pilotage and this means less income for many Pilots. Not every Pilot is an employee and many pilots are self-employed and organised in a brotherhood per example. They are earning only money if they are piloting a vessel. No vessel – no money.

0

Video Ship manoeuvring in port MV Danum 159

published on 13 October 2020

Departing NBCT ,Penang, Malaysia.
#marinepilot #shiphandling #manoeuvre #port #seaman #tug #ship #marine

0

Video Tuban Port Maritime Pilot

published on 8 December 2021

Short story about the transformation of Tuban Pilot into Port Master.
And starting from here, the story about ships, ports & all activities at Tuban Port will begin...

0

Video Dunkerque Port: One Day Work

published on 16 November 2021

Port of Dunkerque: A typical working day in the Port of Dunkerque East.
Views of the Port of Dunkerque East and its daily maritime traffic.


Towing: Tugs from Boluda Dunkerque

0

Video Ghana's first female Marine Pilot

published on 19 October 2022

TV3'S JOSEPHINE FREMPONG tells the story of ghana first female marine pilot flying high the flag of Ghana.
the FIRST FEMALE PILOT to brave all odds and beat the men to it.

0

Opinion Example of a Passage Plan used by Portsmouth Pilots, UK

by Tim Cummins, Portsmouth, UK - published on 10 February 2021

Created by Tim Cummins. This is an uncontrolled example of the latest passage plan used by the Pilot Service at Portsmouth International Port.

0

Opinion Pilot: “Adviser” and/or “Specialist”?

by Ed Verbeek - published on 27 April 2021

I have had the privilege of being at quite a number of meetings, conferences and seminars, sometimes representing The Netherlands, but mostly representing the Netherlands pilots. I have had many discussions about the role of pilots and pilot organisations, which lead me to write an article “What is the added value of pilotage?”, published in the February 2020 issue of Seaways.

2

Video Port Everglades Pilots Crane Arrival

published on 19 November 2020

On November 17th 2020 Port Everglades Pilot Mark Ruppert brought the ship Zhen Hua 25 into Port Everglades. The ship was loaded with 3 huge gantry cranes, a crucial part of the port expansion project.
Found on YouTube. Filmed and produced by Captain Carl Mahler
Editor's note: Great video but where is the life jacket? 1:36

1