Marine Pilot Advisor

Containership CMA CGM BARRACUDA ran aground near Kruiningen on the Western Scheldt just before 01:00 UCT, Friday the 13th. Halfway between Antwerp and Vlissingen, she was sailing downstream en route from Antwerp to Hamburg. Directly after the grounding, multiple tugs gathered around her.
UPDATE: The tugs were able to refloat the vessel around 04:00 UCT. She is currently anchored at Everingen anchorage for hull inspection, just south of Borssele at Westerschelde River.
#westernscheldt...

Pilot cutters are used to take pilots between the three pilot stations (at Gravesend, Harwich and Ramsgate) and ships entering or leaving the Port of London.
Three dedicated pilot cutters Patrol, Guide and our hybrid Leader are based at Gravesend. The six cutters used at Ramsgate are operated by a Estuary Services Limited, which is jointly owned by the PLA and Medway Ports Ltd.

The first-known chart of the Mersey estuary was dated 1689 – to assist sailors approaching the port. The route for ships through to the port of Liverpool, through sand banks and the powerful tides of the Irish Sea and Mersey Estuary, was a challenging business.

The Australasian Marine Pilots Institute is the professional body representing marine pilots throughout Australasia. It assists in the setting of standards, safety management and provides support and guidance with ongoing professional development. AMPI provides advice to regulators on how to improve operational safety in our ports, and ensures that member pilots and their organisations continue to lead in world’s best practice. Together with its partners, AMPI has developed a set of...

Garganta do Diabo em São Vicente

The Virginia Pilot Association has added a new high-speed pilot launch to its fleet, delivered by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. This marks the tenth vessel built by the Somerset, Massachusetts yard for the association since 1983

Importance of Wearing Safety Helmets at Work. ... Hard hats or Safety helmets act as the first line of defense against head injury, but they only work when they are worn correctly. Thus, it's safe to say safety Helmets save lives and reduce the risk of brain injury. #wearenavigators info@wearenavigators.com www.wearenavigators.com

IMPA has just released the results of the annual IMPA safety campaign, please have a look at the document.

Article and pictures by Captain W J M Hargreaves, Retired Southampton Pilot