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 Maritime Pilot•Haluan Kapal

published on 10 August 2022

0

Video PROCESS ALONGSIDE YANGON BY PILOT - Ship Channel

published on 31 May 2021

Proses sandar kapal di Yangon, Maneuvering kapal oleh Pandu Bandar dengan menggunakan Bow Thruster dan Salah jangkar. Chief Officer harus menangkap peluang ini agar kelak dia sudah terbiasa/familiar bukan saja hanya olah gerak, tetapi bagaimana mengimplementasi BRM = Bridge Resource Management. Maneuvering Ship oleh PILOT & Nakhoda. Proses kapal tiba, jemput pandu laut (Sea Pilot Inward) berlayar di sungai, berlabuh di RTA, tukar dg pandu bandar (Harbour Pilot Inwars) clearance-in oleh...

0

Video Maritime Pilotage at Tanger Med Port - APL Lion City, 398m

published on 2 September 2020

Pilotage job at Tanger Med Port. Sailing of APL Lion City from Eurogate Terminal. She is lengthened to 398 m LOA , and increased her capacity to 17,300 TEU.

0

Video MSC Geneva to Predoehlkai6 Hamburg

published on 19 December 2020

What a beautiful manoeuvre! Arrival at Hamburg “Eurogate berth 6”, portside!
#maritime-pilots, #hamburg-pilot, #Lotsen, #hamburg, #hamburger-hafen, #MSC, #MSC_Geneva, #Hafen

0

Video Radio communication, reporting and embarkation of pilot onboard cargo ship

published on 15 September 2021

A glimpse onboard cargo ship on how we do reportings upon entering VTS area and contacting of pilot upon arrival. On this video, the vessel is arriving in port of Bremen, Germany.
How we do it onboard? Watch the full video.

0

Video Dr Paul Luckin, AMSA survivability expert, on lifejackets

published on 6 October 2022

There are a number of things you can do to service and care for your lifejacket, including regular checks and maintenance, proper storage and ensuring you have one for every passenger on your vessel. But if you aren’t wearing it when an emergency occurs, it is very unlikely it will save your life.
We spoke with AMSA survival expert Dr Paul Luckin to learn more about lifejacket essentials.

0

Article Intertanko Guide to Safe Navigation (2nd Edition-2021) released

published on 28 December 2021

Shipping has evolved significantly over the years. Research in maritime safety and operations over the past few decades has been intensive and has resulted in significant improvements.

0