Article

Houston Pilots Practice Part Art, Part Science in Guiding Ships to Port


published on 11 November 2020 533 -

Photos by Houston Pilots, text by Greater Houston Port Bureau

Maritime pilots trace the roots of their profession back to the ancient Greeks and Romans when incoming ship captains employed experienced local fisherman to guide their merchant vessels safely into port. It’s a legacy of skill, strength, and sharp wits, and our Houston Pilots (“Pilots”) have been meeting vessels at Galveston’s bar to carry on these proud traditions for just shy of 100 years.

The 52-mile Houston Ship Channel is home to the largest petrochemical complex in the country and the largest container port in the Gulf of Mexico. Houston ranks first in U.S. exports and first in U.S. foreign tonnage. With dedicated barge lanes and a two-way traffic system to prevent the shutdowns faced by one-way ports, the Pilots welcome more than 8,200 vessel arrivals each year through the waterway.

In their earliest days, a Houston Pilot frequently learned their trade by “coming up through the hawsepipe”, a nautical metaphor for climbing up a ship's rank structure. (A hawsepipe is a strong metal pipe through which an anchor rope passes.) Like many a fellow mariner, they began as a deck hand and worked their way up through experience and additional training. Today, however, the majority of Pilots complete post-secondary education and ten years of seafaring experience before applying to become a Houston Pilot.

Piloting ships in and out of the nation’s largest landlocked port is an enormously complex job that, in their own words, is “part art and part science”. Vessel cargoes range from chemicals to containers to cars, and everything in-between. However, the Houston Pilots don’t protect just ships from the dangers of the sly waters of the Houston Ship Channel. They also protect our people environment, and our economy, – and the training to keep fulfilling that mission is perpetual.

Among the myriad of sophisticated moves each Pilot must master is a technique known throughout the maritime industry as the “Texas Chicken” – a maneuver defines part art and part science. Relying on the wave pressure generated by an oncoming vessel to safely pass each other, the Texas Chicken works like this: at a little over one half mile apart, two vessels meeting each other on the Ship Channel alter course away from each other towards the sides of the waterway. As the vessel bows draw abeam, each vessel steadies their course, becomes parallel - then steers back into the center to proceed safely on to their destination. The Pilots safely perform the Texas Chicken maneuver every day.
Manned Model Training
MM Houston - 1/25th Neopanamax 13,800 TEU Containership at the Maritime Pilots Institute.
MM Houston - 1/25th Neopanamax 13,800 TEU Containership at the Maritime Pilots Institute.
MM Houston - 1/25th Neopanamax 13,800 TEU Containership at the Maritime Pilots Institute.
MM Houston - 1/25th Neopanamax 13,800 TEU Containership at the Maritime Pilots Institute.

Embracing technology to hone skills spearheads their training endeavors. At the Maritime Pilots Institute, a non-profit training service organization based in Louisiana, floats the MM Houston training vessel. It is a 1/25th scale neo-panamax 13,800 TEU containership. Originally commissioned by the Pilots to test dredging options for the Bayport Flare approach turn into the Bayport Terminal, the MM Houston provides manned model maneuvering practice.

The vessel is built of 3/16ths aluminum with a floating frame system that reduces the heat stress on the outer skin of the ship. The result is a well-faired hull, closely resembling Mediterranean Shipping Company and Maersk ships of her class in hull form.

“When these vessels are in this condition, they actually act as the ship does in real life. You can go out and try a maneuver and see if it works – if it’s safe to do. It’s a very valuable piece of training,” explained Captain Robert Thompson, presiding officer of the Houston Pilots.

As detailed on the Maritime Pilots Institute website, the vessel can become uncontrollable at high speeds in the facility’s open lake, due to lack of space to slow and turn before grounding. The practice conditions make the manned model a “world-class high windage experiment” for the Pilots to test maneuvers and required bollard pull from the tugs.

Interested readers can learn more about the model by visiting www.maritimepilotsinstitute.org/manned-models/mm-houston .

Simulations
Feasibility and engineering design simulations at San Jacinto Maritime College - Texas Chicken maneuver.
Feasibility and engineering design simulations at San Jacinto Maritime College - Texas Chicken maneuver.
Feasibility and engineering design simulations at San Jacinto Maritime College - Texas Chicken maneuver.
Feasibility and engineering design simulations at San Jacinto Maritime College - Texas Chicken maneuver.
The opening of the expanded Panama Canal in 2016 began bringing larger vessels to Houston’s port. The Pilots began to prepare for the challenges as far back as 2013, entering into a collaborative agreement with San Jacinto College to allow the college to acquire three interactive bridge simulators for professional mariner training. The goal was for the Pilots to use the simulators for research while students used them for training.

It’s a technology that fascinates. One such research session was profiled in the Houston Chronicle on August 2, 2017, when Pilot’s Captain Tom Goodwin and two tugboat captains used the simulators to explore bringing an oil tanker 900 feet long and 164 feet wide through Bayport Terminal. The simulation was used to evaluate the safety of the procedure and to determine whether a new dock could accommodate large oil tankers.

The San Jacinto College Maritime & Training Center operates 3 Kongsberg Polaris full-mission bridge simulators with an interconnected Kongsberg Neptune Engine Room Simulation suite. The full-mission bridge simulators feature 65 hydro-dynamically accurate vessels that can be operated in ten regions across the globe. With a selection of vessels that include patrol boats, tug boats, push boats, supply vessels, tankers, containers ships, cruise ships, and more, the bridge simulators can be molded to accommodate many needs. State-of-the-art software allows all three bridges to be run in the same exercise, or separately, enabling the system to be customized to specifications for unique situations.
Helo Operations
When Hurricane Rita threatened Houston not long after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans in 2005, an estimated two million people evacuated the area. Highways shutdown in a gridlock that lasted almost 24 hours. The nightmarish situation imparted important lessons for everyone, and in the storm seasons that followed, the Houston Pilots introduced emergency helicopter transport for their pilots between Galveston and Houston docks.

When a hurricane has entered or developed in the Gulf, the Houston Pilot Executive Committee begins assessing the vessel traffic currently in port as well as scheduled sailings and forecasted arrivals. The emergency helicopter is placed on “stand by” status with 24 hour availability.

The Pilots collaborate with Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Galveston District, and NOAA & National Weather Service during storm events. As a storm approaches landfall, the USCG Captain of the Port – currently Captain Jason Smith, Commander, Sector Houston-Galveston – moves the region through a sequence of port conditions (Whiskey, X-Ray, Yankee, and Zulu) to clear vessel traffic and secure the port.

At port condition Whiskey (72 hours prior to predicted gale force winds), the Pilots assess the path and intensity of the storm and activate their hurricane helicopter if needed. At X-Ray (48 hours), the Pilots begin handling sailings only and shuttle personnel via helicopter as needed. With a port as big and busy as Houston, it can take 24 to 36 hours to get the 60-70 vessels typically at terminal docks out of port. Vehicular traffic, especially that leaving Galveston Island, is monitored at all times.

When the port condition moves to Yankee (24 hours), the Coast Guard restricts inbound vessel traffic. The Pilots’ goal is to have all vessels departing the port with ‘pilot away’ at the sea buoy no later than 12 hours prior to predicted storm landfall. The Pilot boats are sent to safe harbor, and the helicopter evacuates Pilots as needed.

By port condition Zulu (12 hours), the port is to be cleared of vessels, facilities secured against potential threats, and all operations are to cease. Through each condition, the focus remains on protection and safety: for the Pilots, vessels and their crews, and the infrastructure/environment.

Several terminals in the port region have designated helicopter landing areas at their facilities that support the Houston Pilots’ hurricane helicopter operations. Participating terminals include the Port of Houston Authority (Turning Basin, Barbours Cut, and Bayport terminals), Kinder Morgan, Targa, Shell, Enterprise, Energy Transfer Houston Terminal (formerly HFOTCO), Exxonmobil Baytown, and the Galveston UTMB helicopter pad (adjacent to the Pilot Boat station).

With the support of their terminal partners, the Houston Pilots practice helicopter transport measures by moving pilots during the course of their regular work in advance of hurricane season. Exercises familiarize all Houston Pilots with pre-flight helicopter safety, helicopter capabilities and limitations, and facilitate the development of landing authorization protocols with landing area owners. This summer, Pilots added vessel boarding/deboarding hoist procedures to their training agenda.

“This was our first year in learning how to hoist,” commented Captain Thompson. “This seems to be a safe and expedient way to move pilots around in heavy weather. It seems to be a very viable option.”

The aircraft utilized is a MD902 Explorer, configured for 6 passengers in addition to the helicopter pilot and flight crew. It is owned/operated by Brim Aviation , a utility helicopter organization serving both U.S. and international clients with a wide variety of services.
Continuing Legacy

Their maritime pilot forebears plying the waters near ancient Greece might shake their heads in surprised wonder at the technology used by the Houston Pilots, but they would understand the “part art, part science” approach of their fellow mariners. It’s a special skillset of a special group that transcends time, and they have safely protected the people and their port for generations. As the port region looks to the future, we can depend on the Houston Pilots to continue their legacy of skill, strength, and sharp wits on the Houston Ship Channel.

Captain Robert Thompson

Presiding Officer, Houston Pilots

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

Video How A Pilot Boards A Ship

published on 27 September 2020

Watch and learn how a pilot boards a container ship before entering port.
In this video, a container ship bound for Houston, Texas is boarded by a Houston Pilot before entering the Houston Ship Channel.
#maritime #HoustonPilots #houstonshipchannel

0

Video Houston Pilotage with Oil Tanker

published on 30 March 2022

Time lapse video showing Houston Pilotage with Oil/Chemical Tanker Ship: Kastav - Oil / Chemical Tanker Area: Houston Camera: Go Pro Hero 3 BE Copyright: The Sea Lad *To use this video in a commercial player or in broadcasts, please contact Us* You can find Us on: FB: https://www.facebook.com/thesealad YouTube: https://goo.gl/PcwM6k Google+:https://goo.gl/kHOOO9 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thesealad Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheSeaLad1 Seafarers Jobs: http://jobatseas.blogspot....

0

Video Houston Pilots Ship Pilot Boat Galveston Passing The Battleship Texas

published on 12 October 2022

Drone Video of Houston Pilot's vessel "Galveston" wiht the Battleship Texas at Gulf Copper Dry Dock in The Background. GALVESTON (MMSI: 367457250) is a Pilot Vessel and is sailing under the flag of USA. Name: GALVESTON Vessel Type - Generic: Pilot Vessel Vessel Type - Detailed: Pilot Vessel Status: Active MMSI: 367457250 Call Sign: WDF4916 Flag: USA [US] For inquiries info@thirdcoastdrone.com Web https://www.thirdcoastdrone.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Third-Coast-...

1

Article Investigation report on the Kiel Canal lock collision of August 2020

published on 27 October 2022

The Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) hereby announces the publication of the Investigation Report No. 285/20 on 26 October 2022. The report deals with the contact of the multipurpose ship ELSE with a closed lockgate of the Kiel-Holtenau lock which occurred on 29 August 2020.

2

Video Smart Sound Plymouth: Britain’s platform for innovative marine technology development

published on 30 June 2021

Dr James Fishwick, Head of Smart Sound Plymouth gives an introduction to Smart Sound Plymouth and explains how it can be accessed and the equipment available.
This is a recording of the webinar given on the 17th June and is the second in a programme of webinars organised by Plymouth City Council which showcases the thriving marine sector in Plymouth, UK.
You can view the full programme of webinars and register for them here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/oceansgate-marine-technology-webinar-...

0

Video Crossing The Suez Canal

published on 15 March 2022

Canal Day! Follow a Bulk Carrier as it crosses the Suez Canal. This video is not a time-lapse, well explore a typical day in the Suez Canal. From pilot turn overs and helmamns to the line boat gift shop well try and cover it all.

0

Video Golden Ray Salvage: Last Section Removed on 10/25/2021

published on 28 October 2021

Finally!!! The last section of the ship was removed from the site and taken to port for final salvage. While there is still a lot of clean up remaining this is a big mile stone in the salvage operation of the Golden Ray which capsized over 2 years ago on 9/8/2019 in the sound of St Simons Island, Georgia. Included is the movement of the section along with footage taken from a boat trip at the site and at the port. Some of my best video in the 2 years I've been filming. So I hope you enjoy...

0

Video Singapore strait accident: Iranian Container Ship MV SHAHRAZ broke into two

published on 19 May 2020

Container ship SHAHRAZ and bulk carrier SAMUDRA SAKTI I are reported to run aground in Singapore Strait south of St John Island at around 1900 UTC May 10, close to each other, while proceeding in the same direction, probably trying to avoid collision. As of 0700 UTC May 11, both ships remain in the same positions, coordinates don’t change. SHAHRAZ is en route from Port Klang to Yangshan China, SAMUDRA SAKTI I is en route from Belawan to Bayah, southwest Java.

0

Article CMPA Launches the National Centre of Expertise on Maritime Pilotage

published on 8 June 2021

The technical body will bring together the extensive technical expertise and professional knowledge of Canada's licensed maritime pilots.

0