Article

USAID ERA Delivers 2nd Pilot Boat to Ukraine


published on 11 November 2024 1830 -

USAID, through its Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), delivered a second pilot boat to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) to improve the efficiency and safety of pilots moving to and from vessels navigating the Danube ports. The pilot boat, Lotsman Bolotin, will replace the outdated pilot boat, Aldebaran, to transport maritime pilots 16% faster to arriving and departing export vessels, ultimately reducing delays and increasing agricultural export turnover to get grain to global markets.

The pilot boat was built in Izmir, Turkey and is specially designed to operate in enclosed harbors and rivers, which is particularly important for ensuring pilot operations in the ports of the Danube region. The pilot boat can accommodate 8 pilots and 2 crew members onboard and move as fast as 32 km/hour; however, the average operational speed is around 15 km/hour. At the average speed, the boat can operate for up to three days without refueling. The 15-meter pilot boat is made of marine grade aluminum and painted orange, making it visible on the water under any conditions. The boat features a wide range of European and American equipment featuring two American Cummins engines and two Alamarin waterjets from Finland.

Lotsman Bolotin is named after Captain Borys Bolotin (1940-2019), a first-class maritime pilot who served as both the Deputy Head (2009-2013) and Head of Danube Unified Sea Pilotage Service of Delta Lotsman (2004-2009). After graduating from Kherson Maritime Lyceum, he dedicated his life to maritime shipping on the Danube. He is buried in Izmail.

Next month, ERA will deliver the third pilot boat, Lotsman Cheberiakov, also being built in Izmir.

Recently, the second pilot boat USAID is building for USPA, named Pilot Cheberiakov, successfully completed sea trials. In total, USPA will receive three pilot boats to further strengthen the export capacity of the Ukrainian economy on the Danube and Black Sea ports.
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video OCEA Launches First Patrol Boat for Ukraine's State Border Guard

published on 10 December 2021

French shipbuilder OCEA today launched the first of twenty "OCEA FPB 98 MKI" patrol boats for the State Border Guard service of Ukraine at its shipyard in Les Sables d'Olonne. ===================== In November 2019, an intergovernmental agreement between France and Ukraine has been signed to support the reinforcement of the maritime safety and security in Ukraine. OCEA won the international consultation launched by the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior. The acquisition contract is for 20...

0

Video The Maritime Blockade of Ukraine | What's Going on With Shipping?

published on 1 June 2022

The Maritime Blockade of Ukraine What's Going on With Shipping? April 22, 2022 In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - former merchant mariner and maritime historian at Campbell University - discusses the ongoing maritime blockade of Ukraine. He assesses some recent commentary and analysis on the naval operation, including the sinking of Moskva, and the commercial implications of the war in the Black Sea. #Ukraine #Russia #BlackSea #Moskva #Blockade #trade #commerce #logistics #supplychain...

0

Video THIS is Safehaven Marine Interceptor 60 PILOT BOAT

published on 19 November 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

Video Is this a dangerous manoeuvre in a Pilot Boat?

published on 26 October 2020

Editors note: A film of a pilot boat has just been published on YouTube with the title "How Dangerous being in a Pilot Boat..." on YouTube. I'm not sure if this really shows a dangerous maneuver, maybe the experts can comment on it here.
But in principle it is problematic to approach the ship in such a small Pilot Boat in the wake from astern and cross the waves there. I remember an accident from Finland in December 2017 where the boat capsized and people died. Is this situation shown here...

1

Video Pilot Boat BURKANA - Emden, Germany (2013)

published on 5 November 2021

http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/211540110/vessel:BURKANA/_:90edd4dc50678df68bf911196fe5240f

0

Video Thrilling Sunrise Mission at the Port of Tyne

published on 11 April 2025

An unforgettable sunrise at sea as the pilot boat Hadrian delivers a pilot to the Grampian Tweed on approach to the Port of Tyne! With the sky blazing in incredible colours, we head out at first light to meet the Grampian Tweed offshore. Watch as the Hadrian carefully manoeuvres alongside to safely transfer the pilot, all against the backdrop of a stunning North Sea sunrise. This is a true behind-the-scenes look at life on the water — ship handling, teamwork, and breathtaking views from the...

0

Video South Esk & Ederra 7 Interceptor 48 pilot boats rough weather sea trials

published on 25 November 2022

Here’s a nice video of the recent sea trials with ‘South Esk’, a new Interceptor 48 pilot boat for the Montrose Port Authority in Scotland. It was fairly rough during our sea trial days with a fair bit of wind, and although it was touch and go flying the drone, we managed to capture some wonderful video of her and Ederra 7 at the entrance to Cork Harbour in a gale.

1

Article Saab to supply Gladstone Marine Pilots with an advanced Marine Pilot Dispatch Management System (PDMS)

published on 23 July 2021

Saab is proud to announce its delivering its flagship Pilot Dispatch Management System (PDMS) PilotControl to Gladstone Ports Corporation’s (GPC) Gladstone Marine Pilots (GMPS).

1

Video TRENZ Pilot Plug - Setup of Qastor on Windows with the TRENZ Pilot Plug

published on 5 July 2019

This video shows how to setup Qastor on Windows with the TRENZ Pilot Plug.
Please visit https://trenz-pilotplug.com/ for more information.
For more information on Qastor, please visit their homepage: https://www.qps.nl/qastor/

0

Article Fiji: Man dies after collision with pilot boat on 2021-01-08

by The Fiji Times - Narayan Reddy - published on 21 January 2021

A 42-years-old fisherman died after an accident at sea along the Navula passage in Momi Bay yester-day morning. Police spokeswoman said the victim was a passenger of a fishing boat.

0