Compilation clip highlighting some of the diverse custom boats we have built recently: the 8.3 metre, outboard powered search and rescue RIB Cape Rose; the 9.8 metre, waterjet propelled work / lines boat Jetwave Nelson Point; the 19.2 metre Berkeley Class pilot boat Genesis; and the 26.5 metre commercial fishing boat / offshore service vessel / passenger charter boat Poppa G.
There were some astonishing pictures in the press some weeks ago of a Royal Marine employing a jetpack to launch himself from a RIB to land on the deck of a ship with extraordinary precision. You cannot imagine that it would be a feasible proposition to equip pilots with such a device, but it did cross my mind after reading a horrible catalogue of disgraceful seamanship and poor design exhibited in what ought to be the simple matter of keeping pilots safe as they board and leave ships.
The Dutch coaster Mv. Stroombank is leaving the port of Figueira da Foz in Portugal. Normally operations are restricted to daylight only, but because bad weather was forecasted for the days to come we've received an exemption and were allowed to depart during dark hours. Cargo operations were running close to the departure deadline so we quickly secured the cargo and prepared the vessel for sea. The tide was running out so we used the forward spring to keep position as we went slow astern...
