Article

The challenges of remote pilotage simulated in Rauma


published on 7 October 2021 405 -

Text and photos by samk.fi

As a part of the ISTLAB project the impact of external factors on pilots’ activities in a remote pilotage situation has been examined in Rauma. The test results can be utilized in development of remote pilotage, and it is hoped that they will provide useful input for the development work of different levels of autonomous shipping. The aim is to eliminate the need for the pilot to climb aboard a vessel, and to support the pilot in his/her safety-critical work at the onshore remote pilotage station. Although remote pilotage is not yet a reality, research and development work is going on at several fronts.

A simulator-based intelligent shipping test environment has been created in the Intelligent Shipping Technology Test Laboratory (ISTLAB) project. Six simulations of how disturbances in weather phenomena and geoinformation impact piloting activities in a remote pilotage situation were successfully carried out. Weather condition data was varied during the simulations, and external interference and disturbances were added to the positioning.

The persons involved in the trials were: Timo Nummi, Ville Mattila and Joakim Kantola, Pilots from Finnpilot Pilotage Oy; Antti Värre, Master Mariner from Meritaito Oy; Laura Tuomi, Head of the group of Marine Research, Operational Oceanography at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, Hannu Koivula, Director of the Department of Geodesy and Geodynamics at the National Land Survey of Finland; and Janne Lahtinen, Heikki Koivisto and Marko Löytökorpi, Master Mariners from Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) and WinNova Länsirannikon Koulutus Oy. The ICT specialists from Wärtsilä Voyage Solutions, SAMK and WinNova were responsible for technical execution. Tero Vainio, Head of Technology at Finnpilot, Meri-Maija Marva, Project Manager of the ISTLAB project at SAMK, and Sauli Ahvenjärvi, Technical Specialist and PhD (Tech.) in Ship Automation, were following the trials on site.

Preparation for the intelligent shipping project at SAMK began in 2017, funded initially by the Foundation for Economic Education, subsequently by the Regional Council of Satakunta’s AIKO funding, and for the last three years EU European Regional Development fund, granted by Satakunta Regional Council. The cooperation partners in the project are Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK), Faculty of Logistics and Maritime Technology, the Marine Research Unit of the Finnish Meteorological Institute, and the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute of the National Land Survey of Finland. The collaboration partners involved are Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, Finnpilot Pilotage Oy, Fintraffic Vessel Traffic Services, Ltd, Wärtsilä Finland Oy / Wärtsilä Voyage Solutions, Port of Rauma and WinNova Länsirannikon Koulutus Oy.
The laboratory is located in the simulator centre owned by Satakunta University of Applied Sciences and WinNova, It is the only intelligent shipping research and development environment of its kind on the planet.

The overall results of the ISTLAB project will be presented on 3rd November 2021 at the Intelligent Shipping Symposium, which is being organised as part of the celebrations commemorating 140 years of maritime education in Rauma.
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video The Port Authority of Jamaica | Critical Services - Pilotage

published on 15 April 2021

Pilotage is compulsory in all Jamaican ports and is a necessity for the safe passage and docking of ships entering and leaving the harbours. No ship or vessel can enter our Ports without the #PortAuthorityJa’s pilotage services. #MarinePilots, being the experts in local conditions, are required to assist in the navigation and manoeuvring of vessels in our channels and port areas and are dispatched to all ports in Jamaica on a 24 hour basis. Our #PilotBoatCrew ensures that Marine Pilots are...

2

Video Transit of the Panama Canal with an XDF LNG Carrier on the Newly expanded locks under pilotage

published on 19 December 2020

Join me as we transit through the Panama Canal from the North-East side to the South-West. An interesting vlog on how an XDF LNG carrier transits through the newly expanded Panama Canal.Find out its history and which vessel and Captain transited the Canal on its opening day on the 15th of August 1914.The interaction with the Pilot Captain Arnulfo Cepetno who assist me on transit the Cocoli locks.

2

Article Human Error in Pilotage Operations

published on 3 December 2024

This article was first published back in September 2021: Pilotage operations require close interaction between human and machines. This complex sociotechnical system is necessary to safely and efficiently maneuver a vessel in constrained waters.

0

Article PTR Holland Group Joins RightShip’s Zero Harm Innovation Partners Program

published on 19 August 2025

PTR Holland Group partners with RightShip to elevate pilot transfer safety through the Zero Harm Innovation Partners Program.

0

Video IHMA Congress 2020 - Going Virtual!

published on 20 August 2020

With the theme, "The Next Wave – Navigating Towards the Digital Future, the 12th biennial Congress will be delivered virtually from 5 - 10 October, 2020.

1

Article Noatum Maritime orders Artemis EF-12 foiling pilot boat

published on 5 May 2025

Northern Ireland-headquartered Artemis Technologies reports that Noatum Maritime, part of AD Ports Group, is to purchase a state-of-the-art 100% electric Artemis EF-12 foiling pilot boat to operate in the United Arab Emirates.

0

Article COSCO Panamax bulk carrier aground again, Parana river

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 29 May 2020

Bulk carrier COFCO 1 with 41,900 tons of soybean resumed sailing downstream after grounding, which took place on May 25-26, but at around 0630 UTC May 27 she ran aground again, this time in San Pedro area at 269 kilometer mark, Parana river.

0

Article 3 new vacancies for Marine Pilots added today

by Frank Diegel - published on 4 October 2021

We have currently researched 20 vacancies for Marine Pilots around the world. Take a look at our job section, where 3 new offers have been added today.

3

Video Connor Foss Pilot Boat in Astoria

published on 30 September 2021

0

Article Unofficial internal company timeline report of the ship accident in Busan 6 April 2020

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 14 April 2020

"ONE - MSQ Accident News No. 31": ONE operated 13,900 TEU vessel “M/V Milano Bridge” has collided with gantry cranes and another vessel while approaching berth at PNC #8. This was the first berthing for phasing-in after Dry Dock.

0