Article

Port of Southampton holds naming ceremony for pilot launch Mayflower


published on 25 May 2022 296 -

ABP’s Port of Southampton has officially named its brand-new pilot launch, Mayflower. In a ceremony that took place in the port’s eastern docks on 20 May 2022, members of the port’s marine team were joined by the vessel’s Godmother, Heidi Olden, and Sailors’ Society’s Port Chaplin, Frans Sahetapy, to name and bless Mayflower before she goes into service next month.

Mayflower, whose name pays homage to the Pilgrim Fathers’ iconic ship’s connection to Southampton, is the first of three new launches for ABP’s Southampton region, and one of nine across ABP’s ports, representing a total investment of around £9m. Each of these faster, more fuel-efficient vessels delivers an approximate 40% fuel saving through an innovative forward ‘beak’ and double chine hull design that enables the vessel to cut through the waves. The vessels are constructed in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, by Goodchild Marine. Mayflower will join the current fleet of launches at the ABP pilot station in Gosport and be used to safely transport Southampton pilots to and from large ships entering and leaving the port.

The ship’s Godmother, Heidi Olden, is married to ABP Southampton’s Marine Services Supervisor Gary Olden and spent over a decade working in maritime, as well as “20 years putting up with my shifts,” says Gary. Naming the boat, Heidi said: “It is my great honour to name Mayflower. May all who sail in her and stay safe and prosper.” In his blessing, Reverend Frans Sahetapy from Sailors’ Society, which offers support to seafarers around the world, asked for protection for “this vessel, those who built her and those who will serve upon her.”

ABP Southampton Harbour Master, Steve Masters, says: “We are very grateful to Heidi and Frans for joining us for this special occasion as we welcome Mayflower to our fleet and look forward to seeing her in action safely transporting our pilots this summer.”
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video Warsash Maritime Academy: a history of change

published on 24 May 2022

From Stoneham to St Mary's, discover how Warsash Maritime Academy has evolved over the decades - and how our heritage and values have steered generations of cadets into successful careers.
For more information about Warsash Maritime Academy, visit http://www.warsashacademy.co.uk/home.aspx

0

Video History: Pilot Cutter (1953)

published on 18 May 2020

Southampton, Hampshire. Various shots of Trinity House pilot cutter "Penda". M/S pilot's bridge. M/S as Second Officer Harry Goddard leaves the bridge and walks along the deck to his cabin. He takes his cap off, sits down at a table and looks at an album. C/U of his collection of matchbox labels. M/S Goddard sticking in more labels. C/U's Goddard and album. Various shots as he sticks in the labels. M/S of Pilot Knight and Captain Jolliff seated at desk. A waiter enters their cabin and...

0

Video Delaware River Pilot Boat Overfalls

published on 29 April 2025

Delaware River Pilot Boat Overfalls Working the Delaware River - Paulsboro, NJ - March 18, 2025

0

Video Waterford Pilot boat, day of launch & ship boarding trials

published on 11 October 2021

Here's a cool little video of 'PORT LÁIRGE', the Port of Waterford’s new pilot boat we've just launched and it was wonderful to have built another pilot boat for Ireland. She's our 15m Interceptor 48 pilot and is the 48th pilot boat we’ve supplied to ports globally. Powered by a pair of Scania D13 500hp engines she has an operational speed of over 25kts and is capable of carrying of 5 pilots and 2 crew in fine comfort. I think she looks just fabulous in red and blue and look forward to...

0

Video Razorbill Pilot Boat Southbound On The Mersey

published on 24 March 2022

Pilot boat Razorbill southbound on the River Mersey, returning from the bar.

0

Video Pilot Boat "SEA MASTER"& General Cargo Ship "BBC MONT BLANC"- 12.04.2025

published on 15 April 2025

#PilotVessel "SEA MASTER"/ On board #GeneralCargoShip "BBC MONT BLANC" #JP #Recalada #RioDeLaPlata/ 12th. April 2025 - 07:47 Local Time.- On this video (with original sound), you can watch the moment in which the Pilot Vessel "SEA MASTER" arrived to the Port Side of the General Cargo Ship "BBC MONT BLANC" (Approaching Maneuver) to Disembark the Rio de la Plata Pilots, from that vessel, at the #BoardingStation​ #JP​ #Recalada​ #RioDeLaPlata​.- This video was filmed on board the following...

0

Video Pilot boat NES, North East Spit Pilots (UK)

published on 16 March 2022

Awesome clip from UK

0

Video Tugboat Captain Works To Expose Baltimore City Youth To The Maritime Industry

published on 10 September 2020

In the Inner Harbor, a tugboat captain is teaching Baltimore's inner-city youth about the maritime industry.

0

Opinion Fathom Safety: "A Guide to Pilot Ladder Securing"

by Frank Diegel - published on 7 October 2020

Fathom Safety was established as a not for profit organisation dedicated to improving maritime pilot transfer safety. Here is a guide to pilot ladder rigging. We hope you like it!

3

Opinion How OpenBridge seeks to improve maritime workplaces

by Prof. Kjetil Nordby Institute of Design - The Oslo School of Architecture and Design - published on 6 May 2020

Lack of standard user interfaces across bridge equipment is a major concern for maritime safety. Pilots are in a unique position, as they are constantly exposed to new and differing bridge working environments, equipment, interface designs and combinations of systems. As pilots face this problem throughout every shift they need to put in considerable effort to adjust their work to the many user interfaces they meet.

0