Article

Associated British Ports (ABP) has welcomed the first of nine new pilot launch vessels from Goodchild Marine Services.

published on 22 July 2021 - 167 -

Show comment section |

Earlier this year ABP announced an investment of around £9 million to build nine new pilot boats. These vessels were ordered from Goodchild Marine Services Limited and are being built in Norfolk along with much of the supply chain coming from East Anglian suppliers.

The first pilot boat received a warm welcome on its arrival at the Port of Grimsby. Named the OUSE and is the first of five which will be delivered to ABP Humber. Three vessels will be heading to ABP Southampton in 2022 and one to ABP South Wales in 2023.

All nine vessels boast improved fuel efficiency, along with Ouse being the first pilot boat built and enter service in the UK to be fitted with an IMO Tier III compliant engine complete with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). These MAN engines supplied by PME Group of Plymouth help to reduce emissions by using of the latest technology thus minimising the impact on the environment.

Many other features help improve the comfort and safety of those onboard. The Man Overboard Recovery Platform is a standard fit on all Goodchild Marine pilot vessels, air conditioning, suspension seating and a resiliently mounted wheelhouse all act to reduce vibration, impact, and noise when at sea. Additionally, the wave piercing hull design, adds to what makes these ORC pilot boats so comfortable, fuel efficient and above all highly effective in coming alongside and breaking away from ships for a safe pilot transfer.

Mike McCartain, ABP’s Group Director for Safety, Engineering and Marine said;

“We are delighted with our new ‘Orc’ Pilot Boat vessel from Goodchild Marine. The outstanding build quality, safety and environmental features are the hallmark of this superb British boat building company. This vessel is the second in our modernised ABP fleet, and we very much look forward to our next eight boats over the next few years.’

Stephen Pierce, General Manager Goodchild Marine Services Limited, said:

“Our aim is to deliver the highest quality pilot boats, which provide a safe, comfortable, reliable and efficient vessel. This ensures the best possible working space for the boat crews, pilots and the maintainers.”

Goodchild Marine Services Ltd

Pilot Boats

What's your opinion on this?

Video North River Boats (Pilot Boat)

published on 30 January 2020

North River Boats (Pilot Boat)

Article Next Generation Shipyards in Lauwersoog aptly proud on first pilot ship

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

They are very proud at Next Generation Shipyards in Lauwersoog; the brand-new tender for the Dutch Pilotage is ready in the harbor. Costs: 3.5 million euros.

Video A Day Aboard Pilot Boat Collingwood | Guiding Ships in the Port of Tyne

published on 10 March 2025

Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the vital work of the Port of Tyne pilot boat crew aboard Collingwood! From sunrise to sunset, these skilled mariners navigate the River Tyne and the North Sea, ensuring the safe passage of massive cargo ships, tankers, and ferries.
Watch as the crew battles the elements, transfers pilots onto moving vessels, and keeps the busy shipping lane running smoothly. This is a rare glimpse into the teamwork, precision, and dedication required to guide ships...

Video Video Maritime Partner

published on 14 January 2022

Video Pilot Boat By Forth Railway Bridge

published on 30 September 2022

Video Life of Reef Pilot - Capt. Vikram Hede

published on 23 May 2023

My background Why does a ship need a marine pilot How did we get here b.w.o training and qualification? Background history of Reef Pilots Info on different pilot stations within the Great Barrier Reef Torres Straits with its complex tides Our commute to work - boat & helicopter videos Different types of ships, cargoes and nationalities trading within the Great Barrier Reef Work life onboard.... the good, the bad and the ugly Some trivia and fun facts about mariners’ life at sea

Video Pilot boarding by Helicopter in Wilhelmshaven, Germany

published on 14 February 2022

PILOT BOARDING BY HELICOPTER | DEMZ VLOG
#demzvlog #seaman #estellemaersk #buhayabroad #buhaymarino #buhayofw #marinoph #buhaymandaragat #zamboangadelnorte #zamboangadelsur #zamboangapeninsula #tourismph #wilhelmshaven #germany #pinoyseaman

Video Harbor Pilots - They park big ships. This is how.

published on 30 September 2022

A harbor pilot has the difficult job of bringing ships into port. A candidate for Albay Yacht Club has invited me to document the process. I went with Jud, the harbor pilot.

Opinion Pilot transfer arrangements - Sharing knowledge matters – but problems go beyond non-compliance to SOLAS itself

by Kevin Vallance deep sea pilot and author - published on 23 September 2020

Like many seafarers I have long been a keen follower of The Nautical Institute’s MARS programme, and along with many other members I listened to the recent webinar on that topic. One theme which was repeated more than once was that it is better to learn from someone else’s misfortune rather than have it happen to you. Having personally been involved in two near misses resulting from unsafe pilot transfer arrangements in a relatively short space of time, I asked how experiences and knowledge specifically about pilot ladder safety could best be promulgated to avoid repeating common accidents or near misses.