Article

‘SANAAG’ A new Pilot boat for the Port of Berbera, Somaliland in Africa delivered by Safehaven Marine.


by Safehaven Marine - published on 20 April 2020 1722 -

Photos, tables and texts by Safehaven Marine

Safehaven Marine based in Ireland have just delivered a pilot vessel for operations at the Port of Berbera in Somaliland, Africa. ‘Sanaag’ is one of Safehaven’s Interceptor 38 pilot vessels, at 11.9m LOA, a very capable design which proves economical to operate, yet capable of dealing with very rough seas and challenging boarding conditions when required.

She has been built for DP World Berbera to be given to the Somaliland Ports Authority. The build and sea trials were managed fully by P&O Maritime Logistics. This is the fourth pilot boat that Safehaven Marine have supplied to the DP World, all of which were delivered on time and have operated very successfully and reliably over the years, this no doubt was a significant factor when the group required another new pilot vessel, and with Sanaag being the 43rd pilot vessel Safehaven Marine have supplied, they were secure in the knowledge that they were working with a builder with a vast range of experience in this specialised sector. A repeat customer is always a fine endorsement for any boat builder.

‘Sanaag’ is powered by Caterpillar C7 350hp engines and ZF V drive gearboxes through conventional
sterngear providing her with a 18-20kts operational speed, she has a 5 person capacity for 4 pilots and
helmsman in her main cabin, all on CAB suspension seating with her helm position being centrally positioned
to allow excellent control and visibility to the coxswain during both port and st/bd boarding’s. The
Interceptor design features a central cabin configuration allowing a useful aft deck area and a clear wide
pilot boarding area forward. Below decks the design also features a spacious f/wd cabin which can
accommodate additional passengers when required. The hull is heavily fendered all round with a
combination of main gunwale, diagonals and a lower run as well as also employing Safehaven’s own special
sacrificial boarding fender providing additional protection at the shoulders. A bow pusher also allows her to
assist in docking of small ships in Port if called upon. High and low level pilot boarding railings as well as a
Hadrian safety rail ensure safety on deck. MOB recovery is via Safehaven’s well proven transom lift, of easy
manual operation it can quickly be deployed to safely recover a casualty from the water. An aft deck external
steering position facilitates the safe manoeuvring of the boat in any recovery situation. Fitted with a full
array of navigation equipment with Radar, GPS plotter, sounder, AIS and Sailor VHF radios, as well as a full
CCTV system covering all areas of the boat. The main cabin is fitted out to a high standard and is fully climate
controlled with twin 18,000 btu air conditioning units for redundancy ensuring a comfortable environment
for her crew and pilots during transits.








‘Sanaag’ Safehaven’s Interceptor 38 alongside one of their Interceptor 48’s during rough weather sea
trials, both designs are renowned for their excellent seakeeping abilities.


What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video Safehaven Marine Interceptor 60

published on 11 February 2025

Whilst filming for the Voyager T2000 I was asked by Frank from Safehaven Marine if I wanted to make a video about the brand new Pilot Interceptor 60. There was no way that I was going to miss this opportunity!
Sign up for my free newsletter: https://bit.ly/Yacht_Buoy_Newsletter
Voyager T2000 Yacht Tour: https://youtu.be/Z8m7mWNWGAs
Voyager T2000 sea trial: https://youtu.be/ihgjtrgV0O4

0

Video THIS is Safehaven Marine Interceptor 60 PILOT BOAT

published on 26 August 2025

While filming for the Voyager T2000, Frank from Safehaven Marine asked if I wanted to make a video about the brand new Pilot Interceptor 60. There was no way I was going to miss this opportunity!
If you would like to find out more about this boat or would like to get in touch with me about anything mentioned in this video: 👉🏻 https://linktr.ee/john_johnson 👈🏻
Voyager T2000 Yacht Tour: https://youtu.be/Z8m7mWNWGAs
Voyager T2000 sea trial: https://youtu.be/ihgjtrgV0O4

0

Opinion Sea Trials in Stroms at the Entrance to Cork Habour

by Safehaven Marine - published on 3 March 2020

The entrance to Cork Harbour situated on the South coast of Ireland can produce some pretty extreme sea states during the winter storm months. There are two main factors that influence the sea state at the entrance, the first being the ebbing tide, the second being shoaling waters over the Harbour Rock, this is situated at the entrance to the Harbour off Roches Point lighthouse, right in the middle between the Western and Eastern channel entrances.

0

Video Waterford Pilot boat, day of launch & ship boarding trials

published on 11 October 2021

Here's a cool little video of 'PORT LÁIRGE', the Port of Waterford’s new pilot boat we've just launched and it was wonderful to have built another pilot boat for Ireland. She's our 15m Interceptor 48 pilot and is the 48th pilot boat we’ve supplied to ports globally. Powered by a pair of Scania D13 500hp engines she has an operational speed of over 25kts and is capable of carrying of 5 pilots and 2 crew in fine comfort. I think she looks just fabulous in red and blue and look forward to...

0

Video Pilotage in bad weather Cork Harbour February 2021

by Safehaven Marine - published on 16 February 2021

Here’s some cool video footage we captured of the Cork Pilots in their Interceptor 48 pilot boat ‘Failte’ undertaking pilot transfers off Cork Harbour during the recent days of strong SE gales. Roches Point lighthouse recorded 50kts of wind on the 13th as the Cosco bulk carrier passed and the Cork wave buoy 2nm off the harbour entrance recorded waves to 6.7m at the time. The pilot boat coxwain managed to get alongside and safely disembark the pilot despite the challenging sea state....

0

Video PILOT 82

published on 20 April 2022

0

Article Safehaven Marine starts sea trials for new Irish Pilot Boat

by Baird Maritime - published on 14 May 2024

Irish boatbuilder Safehaven Marine will soon commence sea trials of a new harbour launch ordered by compatriot operator Cork Pilots.

0

Article Briggs Marine: New pilot boat order for Goodchild Marine

published on 28 June 2022

Goodchild Marine won the order to manufacture and deliver the vessel in 2023 to increase Briggs Marine’s fleet to six ORC-class pilot boats.

0

Video This is how a pilot boarding ship

published on 10 May 2020

by "Mallu Sailor" on YouTube
Do you know how difficult to board a ship through pilot ladder.

0

Video Flying into the Graveyard of the Pacific: Ports Unknown with Columbia River Bar Pilot Michael Tolley

published on 15 June 2026

At the mouth of the Columbia River lies "The Graveyard of the Pacific"—the deadliest river bar crossing on earth. To get a massive cargo ship safely through these crushing waves, an elite Bar Pilot has to board a moving ship by climbing a rope ladder and get's hoisted off the ship by helicopter 10 miles off shore in the Pacific Ocean. In this episode of What do you Wanna Cook?: PORTS UNKNOWN, we get you as close to the action as humanly possible. We take you inside the cockpit for an...

0