Article

Port of London Authority orders new Pilot Boat from Goodchild


by Port of London Authority - published on 5 February 2024 2658 -

Following a competitive, international selection process, the Port of London Authority (PLA) has signed a contract with British family-run company, Goodchild Marine Services Ltd, to build a new pilot vessel.

With 95 miles of the tidal Thames under its jurisdiction, the PLA, the UK’s largest port, is investing significantly in its people, infrastructure and equipment to meet increasing demand for its pilotage services as its customers and terminals continue to grow.

This winning tender follows Goodchild Marine’s success during London International Shipping Week, where it was honoured twice at the 2023 National Maritime SME Awards, collecting the awards for “Best Family Business” and overall winner of the “National Maritime SME Business of the Year”.

This vessel acquisition represents a small part of the largest capital investment plan for the PLA in over 20 years. Supporting our customers’ future growth plans, this investment plan is key to delivering the PLA’s Thames Vision; to be the UK’s leading Net Zero port by 2040.
Photo from LinkedIn
Photo from LinkedIn
Photo from LinkedIn
Photo from LinkedIn
PLA’s Director of Marine Operations, Steven Clapperton, said:
“Goodchild has proven over many years that they are at the leading edge of vessel design and build. This new vessel is designed specifically for our current and future operational needs, and will incorporate the latest in technology, reducing fuel consumption, minimising environmental impacts, whilst maximising operability."
Photo from LinkedIn
Photo from LinkedIn
Photo from LinkedIn
Photo from LinkedIn
Goodchild’s General Manager, Stephen Pierce, said:

“As a family run company, it is a privilege to continue our working relationship with the Port of London Authority. This contract affords us the opportunity to continue to develop our range of pilot boats to meet the operational requirements of UK ports both small and large.”
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video Pilot Transfer - New Zealand (Auckland) & Australia (Melbourne/Fremantle)

published on 21 October 2021

Spotted some Pilot Boats in the Port of Auckland, New Zealand and Melbourne & Fremantle Australia (Port codes: Auckland:NZ AKL ; Melbourne:AU MEL ; Fremantle:AU FRE).

0

Video Look at Life - Down London River (Thames) - 1959

published on 18 March 2021

This documentary made in 1959 in the popular Look at Life series is from Volume 5 - Cultural History and takes a journey along the River Thames passing several famous buildings and monuments such as - County Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Shell Mex House which has the biggest clock face in London. Cleopatra's Needle, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Port of London Authority, Prospect of London Pub, Port of London Docks.

0

Video The work of a Pilot on the tidal Thames, UK - 2010

published on 18 March 2021

10 years back in time: Port of London Authority Pilot Jon Stafford talks about his work and the challenges of guiding large ships safely into and out of the Port of London.

2

Article Australian pilot receives IMO commendation for exceptional bravery at sea

published on 17 September 2021

In December 2020, Australian Pilot Captain Ritesh Bhamaria was expertly piloting oil tanker MT Godam through the Torres Strait in adverse weather conditions when he and the vessel crew sighted a distant hand waving for help in the rough sea.

2

Article The IMPA Safety Campaign starts today

published on 1 October 2020

Today is the beginning of IMPA´s 2020 Safety Campaign survey, and we would like to encourage you all to participate!

To submit a report click here: https://survey.impahq.org

0

Article Help needed: For better visibility of the pilot work

published on 26 November 2025

This is a tribute build to a work life at sea. It is adventure. It is history. And it is modern story of a work life for many people around the world. Vote here!

1

Article Port of Antwerp using drone for pollution monitoring

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 5 November 2020

Port authorities in Antwerp, Belgium, are making use of EMSA’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) to support their day-to-day monitoring of port operations and rapid response to pollution incidents in the port area. The RPAS will enable the authorities to inspect at a distance their complex port environment which extends over an area of some 120km².

0

Article Trelleborg supplies Piloting Software to Peel Ports Group

by Baird Maritime - published on 13 September 2022

Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure has supplied its advanced navigation and piloting solutions for pilotage applications to facilitate the safe and efficient berthing of vessels and to increase safety of larger vessels at Peel Ports Group.

0

Video Maritime Pilot embarking a Bulk Carrier with a 8,95 freeboard.

published on 26 August 2020

Hardest part of getting on board of a ship is climbing up on a maximum height of pilot ladder as 9m. Vessel on that video is a 27kdwt bulk carrier in ballast condition bound for İstanbul strait northbound passage.

0

Video Maritime Pilots' Institute

published on 4 July 2019

The Maritime Pilots Institute is the premier training facility for River Pilots employing a mix of virtual and real world facilities. Located in Covington Louisiana, we are 45 minutes from downtown New Orleans while offering the safety and amenities of small town life.
The training presents a balance between simulated locations with a variety of environmental conditions and manned scale models of cargo ships in a series of lakes with docking and currents and live factors such as wind and...

0