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 A Day in the Life of a Marine Pilot - Sipho Mnisi

published on 26 October 2021

We continue to spotlight our marine services employees this #TransportMonth. Come spend A Day in the Life of Sipho Mnisi, Marine Pilot at the Port of Durban.
#MarinePilot #PortofDurban #ADayIntheLifeof #TransportMonth #SenzaKwenzeke #TransnetNPA

0

Video Poseidon Sea Pilots buoys local shipbuilding

published on 9 July 2021

Brisbane-based Poseidon Sea Pilots has contracted local Queensland shipbuilder, Norman R.Wrights & Sons to build million of dollars in pilot boats.

0

Video Maritime Pilot•Haluan Kapal

published on 10 August 2022

0

Video A Day In Life of Sailors Piloting Tiny Container Ship

published on 14 March 2025

Welcome back to the Fluctus Channel for a feature behind the Model Ships used by captains in training centers. Fluctus is a website and YouTube channel dedicated to sea geeks. Whenever you are curious or an incorrigible lover of this mysterious world, our videos are made for you ! We publish 3 videos a week on our YouTube channel and many more articles on our website. Feel free to subscribe to not miss any of our updates and visit our website to discover additional content. Don’t forget to...

0

Article Pilot Boats, a Designer and Builders Perspective

by Safehaven Marine - published on 6 August 2021

Safehaven Marine build a range of vessels for many different operational roles such as patrol, survey, crew transfer to name a few, but what makes Safehaven unique is that we specialize in pilot boats, with 80% of our production dedicated to just this area, and have supplied over 50 pilot craft all around the world over the last 17 years.

0

Article Sandy Hook pilot Dennis Sherwood has died after falling during embarking

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 30 December 2019

A pilot of Sandy Hook, Dennis Sherwood fell off a ladder while boarding a ship today at 4:30 a.m. and died of his serious injury in Staten Island hospital.

0

Video New podded cruise ship at Port Revel

published on 24 October 2019

A new 1:25 cruise ship manned model, the "Voyager", was added to our fleet in 2014. She is 311 m long and is fitted with 2 azimuthing pods (and one Fixipod) and powerful bow thrusters. Training is conducted in emergency conditions like engine failures, crash stops, tight turns ...

0