Article

Port of Townsville to expand pilot boat fleet


by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 24 January 2020 244 -

photo and article by Port of Townsville

The Port of Townsville, northern Australia’s largest multi-cargo port, is expanding its fleet of pilot boats to four.

The Port has awarded Hart Marine a $3 million contract to build a 17.3m ORC vessel that is due for delivery later in 2020. The new high-tech vessel will be slightly longer but have the same design features as the PV Osprey which was delivered by Hart Marine in late 2017.

Port of Townsville General Manager Operations Drew Penny says that the new longer pilot boat’s advanced technology and design features will make it a vital asset for pilot-transfers at the Ports of Townsville, Lucinda and Abbot Point.

``Weather conditions at the three ports that our pilot boats service can be unpredictable, particularly in the wet season. It is essential that our pilot vessels provide a stable and secure platform for the pilots to transfer to and from ships 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Mr Penny.

Design features to be included in the Port’s new pilot boat include the ability to right itself if it capsizes in heavy seas. The boat will also have oversized rudders that give it greater manoeuvrability, wide side-decks that provide more room for pilots, as well as a wave-piercing beak bow to minimise pitching.

Every year, the Port of Townsville’s pilot boats undertake 1,200 transfers to and from vessels longer than 50 metres that are entering and departing the Port. The Port’s pilot boats travel 139km north to Lucinda and 200km south to Abbot Point to provide the same service to vessels using those Ports.

``The pilot boat service that we provide to the Ports of Abbot Point and Lucinda adds an extra 700 trips to those that are undertaken at the Port of Townsville. The extra vessel will allow us to provide a better service at all three ports, with less time spent travelling from Townsville,’’ Mr Penny said.

Hart Marine General Manager Graeme Taylor said everything about this new boat meets the demands of the work environment of the tropical waters in North Queensland. This includes a cruising speed of 26 knots, a unique wave-piercing bow design to increase performance and safety, and a suspended wheelhouse that reduces noise and vibration. The result is not only increased crew and passenger comfort, but also a reduced risk of fatigue.

``Our customers expect ships to transit without delays, so the all-weather pilot boat we are building allows the Port of Townsville to keep ships moving and avoid delays,’’ Mr Taylor said.

``Our experience in pilot boat construction will deliver a vessel that satisfies the requirements of the marine pilots who guide ships in and out of Townsville, Lucinda and Abbot Point.’’

The Port of Townsville’s increased pilot boat fleet will mean more efficient ship movements, fewer delays as well as reduced costs for shipping companies. The name of the new pilot boat will be announced later in 2020.

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

Video 18 meter pilot boat built by Hart Marine, with ZF Marine Transmission

published on 28 February 2020

Exclusive Review in Port Phillip, Australia, of 18 meter pilot boat built by Hart Marine, with ZF Marine Transmission.

0

Article TWO NEW METAL SHARK PILOT BOATS NOW SERVING PORT OF NEW ORLEANS

by Metal Shark Boats - published on 20 November 2019

Jeanerette, LA – November 14th, 2019: Shipbuilder Metal Shark has delivered two new pilot boats to New Orleans-based operator Belle Chasse Marine Transportation, LLC (BCMT).

0

Article Sixth High-Speed Launch for Delta Pilots

by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding - published on 27 November 2019

Delta Launch Services has ordered a new pilot boat from Gladding Hearn Shipbuilding (Duclos Corporation).

This is the sixth St. John’s Class launch built by the Somerset, Mass. shipyard. Delivery of the new 52-footer is scheduled for July 2020.

0

Video San Juan Bay Pilot Boat

published on 24 January 2023

The San Juan pilot boat coming next to our ship.

0

Video Pilot Boats from port of Kobe, Japan

published on 3 June 2022

The vessel 8T gross tonnage above necessary inland and harbor pilot before inter the port of Japan.

0

Article Safehaven Marine launched ‘Ederra 6’ for the MVD Pilots Association

published on 17 June 2022

Safehaven Marine have launched ‘Ederra 6’ a new Interceptor 48 pilot boat for the MVD Pilots Association in Montevideo, Uruguay.

1

Video Storm Agnes and pilot boat Safehaven Marine

published on 11 October 2023

Here’s a nice little video of rough weather sea trials that coincided with ‘Storm Agnes’ last week in the Interceptor 48 pilot boat ‘Svitzer Oued Laou’. The storm produced some pretty big waves at the entrance to Cork Harbour, and strong winds during the height of the storm. We managed to capture some cool footage from Roches PT lighthouse. It was fairly rough, although by not coinciding with the ebbing tide conditions aboard were quite comfortable, and our Pilot 48 handled it effortlessly...

0

Article "Hanakahi" is the Hawaii Pilots Association’s newest boat

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 5 August 2020

Pilot boat Hanakahi inbound to Pier 19, Honolulu Harbor. 18 July 2020.

1

Video Pilot Boat "AHTO 24" from Tallinn (Estonia, EU)

published on 4 October 2022

Great pictures from Estonia

1

Video APL Mexico City destroys crane in Antwerp (09.12.2019)

published on 2 September 2020

9 December 2019 - 'APL Mexico City' hits adrift and rams port crane in Antwerp.
Author of these images is unknown, they circulate freely on social media.
Should an author identify with these images and have any objections, they will be removed upon simple request to Flows.be.

0