Abeking & Rasmussen SWATH Technology

At the A&R shipyard in Germany, the successful principle of SWATH boats was further developed in 2013: The SWASH principle allows sea-going, smaller and more economical boats.

SWATH and SWASH are interesting technologies that allow a vessel to sail much more calmly in high waves. A stable and calm position of the ship is especially important for pilot boarding.

Following in a long line of ever more refined and very seaworthy vessels, this small example of a Safehaven pilot boat has been chosen for operations on and around Scotland’s Cromarty Firth.

Here’s a pretty cool video covering the recent sea trials we undertook with the La Coruna pilot boat. Some nice gale footage 20 miles offshore, and the fun we had trying to land the drone back down in high winds as well as alongside ship handling trials with the Taccola, operating out of Cork Harbour at present.

#PilotVessel "CARRASCO II" #PuertoDelBuceo #PuertitoDelBuceo #buceo #montevideo #uruguay #RioDeLaPlata #Pilots #RioDeLaPlataPilots #pilotonboard #prácticos #PrácticosArgentinos / 09.02.2026 - 10:54 LT.- This video was filmed on board the #PilotVessel "SEA PILOT", at the #PuertoDelBuceo #DelBuceoHarbour #Uruguay and shows the moments when the #PilotBoat "CARRASCO II" arrived at the same harbour, comming from the #BoardingStation​ #JP​ #Recalada​ #RioDeLaPlata​. Special appreciation to the...

Here’s a cool little video of the 2nd Interceptor 60 ‘Rubban’ built for DP World undergoing alongside ship handling sea trials, with some lovely drone footage of the container ship ‘BG Ireland’ as well.

#PilotVessel "CATAMARÁN ANTARES"/ On board #PilotBoat "PAX"/ #CanalAccesoAPuertoLaPlata #pilots #pilotonboard #RioDeLaPlata #Argentina / 02.November.2022 This video shows, the moment which the Pilot Vessel "CATAMARÁN ANTARES", after departured from #LaPlataHarbour went to the Boarding Point in #ZonaComún to embark and disembark #Pilots #LaPlataHarbour . These images were taken on board the Pilot Vessel "PAX" (inbound vessel), when she was underway inside the #CanalAccesoAPuertoLaPlata...

New guidance for PBAs with trapdoors. Released 4.11.2020 at NZMPA Conference in Dunedin, NZ. Distinct difference to suggestions in many other countries, is that we challenge operators who have the ladder suspended from the accommodation ladder (gangway) and not secured to the ship. SOLAS states that pilot ladder shall be secured to the ship, and securing strongpoints, shackles and ropes shall be as strong as the sideropes.

Ideas from Nasir Khan, Port Pilot: "I would like to suggest that we try an experiment and make some modifications that will result in a better grip on the handrails of the ship's ladder and on the pilot ladder steps. Let's talk about it!"