New Zealand MPA Guidance to manage COVID19

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.

Fewer vessels in voyage mean less pilotage and this means less income for many Pilots. Not every Pilot is an employee and many pilots are self-employed and organised in a brotherhood per example. They are earning only money if they are piloting a vessel. No vessel – no money.

As the world struggles with the Covid-19 virus, the maritime world is being hit hard, not only economically, but also socially and operationally. Iin shipping there are no borders.

FASTWATER Consortium and the Swedish Maritime Administration (SMA) successfully demonstrated a pilot boat that has been converted to operate on Methanol fuel. The demonstration in Stockholm Harbour follows the successful bunkering of the vessel at the SMA pilot station in Oxelösund, Sweden, where the pilot boat will be based.

AIMPA organised a competition to author a Research paper on Pilot ladder - risk mitigation innovation and alternatives to Pilot Transfer arrangement.

The Hibernia joins the Belfast Harbour operational marine fleet.

The pilots say that Port Tampa Bay leadership is leaning on them to change policies in ways they say would be less safe.

"Open Bridge" is an open source platform enabling the development of cost effective, safe and efficient maritime workplace. Over 300 maritime companies has registered to access OpenBridge since it started 6 months ago.

River Mersey Pilot Boat going slowly inbound on the river before turning and heading northbound again.

North River Boats (Pilot Boat)