Assistant Harbour Master & Pilot

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

Australia’s high-tech FRP specialist boat builder Hart Marine has been building pilot, patrol and rescue boats for a couple of decades. That experience tells as the boats continually improve from an already high base.

South Australian ports operator Flinders Ports (FP) has entered into an agreement to purchase three new Pilot Vessels over the next three years, working with premier boat builders, Melbourne-based Hart Marine.

Impatience is triggered when we have a set goal (for example berthing a vessel) but realise it's going to cost us more than we thought to reach it (the vessel is only making 6 knots against the tide and is taking much longer than predicted).

This survey on pilot ladder safety was initiated by Ewan Rattray. It is supported and recommended by well-known heads of the #dangerousladders Facebook group like Kevin Vallance, Arie Palmers and others.

Finnish Pilots at work.

Bulk Carrier Ship "THALIS" / Pilot Boat "SEA PILOT" / Embarking Maneuvering of Rio de la Plata Pilots,
Argentina

NTSB issued an investigation report on the contact of the tanker American Liberty with multiple vessels, including the Don D, African Griffon, Ever Grace, and multiple hopper barges, in Lower Mississippi River in May 2019.

“The current plight many seafarers are facing, unable to crew change or return home, is being described by many voices within the maritime community as the next humanitarian crisis.”

The new 56-ft. Virginia Pilots launch is powered by a pair of Volvo Penta D13 700 hp EPA Tier 3 engines matched with IPS-3 steerable pod drives with forward-facing counter-rotating props. The propulsion system includes Volvo Penta’s EVC electronic steering and control system with a three-axis joystick. Top speed is 33+ knots.