Pilot

The Port of Klaipeda in Lithuania has placed an order for two pilot boats in a series to be built by Estonia-based Baltic Workboats. The contract for the vessels has an estimated value of €6.5 million (US$7 million).

It remains a sad fact that accidents and near misses continue to occur during pilot transfers with frightening regularity. Most of these fortunately do not result in injury, and a surprisingly high number of them are not even recognised for what they are.

Surveys into pilot ladder safety consistently reveal that unacceptably high numbers of pilot transfer arrangements are not compliant with the regulations.

The United Kingdom Maritime Pilots' Association (UKMPA) has all been inundated with CV19 communications from all manner of sources in the last few weeks. Here is a condensed collection of information from the UKMPA.

Dublin Port Company has taken delivery of a new Pilot Boat, named DPC Tolka. The state-of-the art vessel arrived in Dublin Port having set sail from Great Yarmouth via Lowestoft, Dover, Gosport, Plymouth, Falmouth and Milford Haven.

Apparently there were two crew members on board, but no pilot. One of crew was recovered and declared dead, another one, skipper of the boat, is missing.

SOMERSET, Mass, − December 18, 2019 – The Association of Maryland Pilots has ordered a new class of pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. Called the “Baltimore Class” after the pilots’ base of operations at the Port of Baltimore, the vessel’s delivery is scheduled for April 2021.

After years of looking, the Port of Grays Harbor has its new pilot boat, the Vega, to replace the 60-year-old Chehalis.

Helicopter operation embarkation is a safe and efficient method to embark pilots in remote locations or during inclement weather conditions in Great Barrier Reef. This video guides you through the process of how a pilot is flown to the vessel by helicopter, the considerations, regulations and resources required. A must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the importance of pilot embarkation in the Great Barrier Reef. #Pilot operation embarkation #Great Barrier Reef #Navigation #Marine...

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:3628841/mmsi:255806433/imo:9750579/vessel:VESTVIND
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:143113/mmsi:211644150/imo:0/vessel:IZURDIA

Conapra's Technical Director, the pilot Porthos Lima, presented during the 53rd EMPA GENERAL MEETING the application developed for smartphones, inspired by the 2017 IMPA SECURITY CAMPAIGN. This tool allows pilots to report deficiencies in the Pilot Packing Arrangements and ship equipment, and these reports are instantly available to all Brazilian pilots. In the presentation Mr. Lima, representative of the Brazilian Maritime Pilots Association, showed how the App works and presented its...