Article

Flinders Port (AU) with new Pilot Boat


by Baird Maritime - published on 21 June 2024 1405 -

Photo Hart Marine

South Australian port operator Flinders Ports has expanded its fleet of harbour services vessels with the recent acquisition of a newbuild pilot boat constructed by Hart Marine in the neighbouring state of Victoria.

Spirit is the first in a series of three pilot boats ordered by Flinders Ports from the same builder. Utilising composite material and a hull design developed by French naval architecture firm Pantocarene, the boat features a lightweight yet corrosion-resistant structure that boasts durability even under harsh marine conditions.

The boat has an LOA of 17.55 metres (57.5 feet), a beam of 5.24 metres (17 feet), a depth of 2.15 metres (7.0 feet), and a top speed of 35 knots courtesy of two Volvo Penta D13-700 diesel inboards that each produce 515 kW (690 hp) at 2,300 rpm.

Compact, versatile boat designed for extreme conditions
“We were looking to upgrade our pilot boat fleet and looking for updates to safely and to more effectively provide pilot transfers in rough sea conditions,” Flinders Ports told Baird Maritime. “We wanted to innovate and upgrade our fleet to be competitive and port industry leaders, and so we required a fit-for-purpose vessel that could achieve multiple activities, such as surveying and occasional emergency response.
Photo: Hart Marine
Photo: Hart Marine
Photo: Hart Marine
Photo: Hart Marine
The owner added that it worked closely with Hart Marine to discuss safety options when preparing to upgrade its fleet so that pilots will be as safe as possible when operating in open waters. Since the Flinders Port fleet needed to be able to operate in such waters regardless of weather, it needed improvements in terms of fuel efficiency, reliability, and safety features.

“Spirit will provide 24/7 pilot transfer services as required by schedules in all channels and berths under the governance of Flinders Port Holdings, including our Regional Ports. These areas include Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal, the port of Port Adelaide, as well as the six key regional ports of Port Giles, Port Lincoln, Wallaroo, Port Pirie, Klein Point, and Thevenard.”

A wave-piercing, beak bow design facilitates smooth navigation in turbulent waters, significantly reducing vertical acceleration and ensuring stability for pilots. The vessel’s self-righting capabilities have been rigorously tested and proven, guaranteeing autonomous recovery from a capsized position.

A change in the vessel’s size provides pilots and crew with additional room on the outer deck for pilot transfer and coxswain activities.

The boat also has continuous railing, thus providing a safety barrier for crew and pilots. Low-noise technology meanwhile further enhances the vessel’s operational environment

Responsive propulsion for various operating modes
“The equipment on board is new to the industry,” added Flinders Ports. “For instance, we believe the Volvo Penta inboard performance system (IPS) is an effective solution with fewer maintenance requirements. This also enhances fuel efficiency, reduces its environmental footprint, and improves sustainability. It also gives us the option to operate with an alternative fuel.”
Photo: Hart Marine
Photo: Hart Marine
Photo: Hart Marine
Photo: Hart Marine
The owner said that, with the new engine set, the mechanical layout was reduced from four major parts to only three. This translates into less downtime and more uptime, permitting the boat to provide a greater scope of service to customers.

“As there are fewer mechanical parts compared to shaft propellers, this offers us more functions along with dynamic propulsion,” Flinders Ports told Baird Maritime. “At the push of a button, the vessel will maintain its stationary position regardless of the wind or tide.”

The owner added that launch masters have also used this feature successfully when undertaking surveyor transfers to stationary ships at anchor. Also, if there was to be a man overboard situation, retrievals would be easier with the vessel being able to hold its position more effectively.

Full electronics and safety suite
Flinders Ports said Volvo’s proprietary engine management system provides information about parameters such as oil use, water level, pressure, and temperature. This then helps develop a better understanding of how the vessel operates with the aim of optimising maintenance.

The vessel also has automatic trim tabs, which have the ability to reduce pitch and roll in heavy seas while helping to maintain a straight course. This ensures a smoother and more comfortable ride and reduces fatigue.
Photo: Hart Marine
Photo: Hart Marine
Photo: Hart Marine
Photo: Hart Marine
“Combined with having a joystick aft, our pilots are able to operate with increased safety, more comfortably, and with better visibility of ships and of people boarding and disembarking. The IPS has the ability to be put in docking mode and manoeuvred forwards, sideways and in reverse, from two positions on the vessel.”

The electronics suite includes Marfle, which Flinders Ports says provides a greater level of detail on telemetry and vessel monitoring. The system records all information regarding the operation of the vessel and the management of its engine.

“On a voyage, we can measure speed, fuel usage, rpm and other data, metre by metre.”

Other electronics include a radar, a GPS, an AIS, and a depth sounder from Furuno, and an ICOM VHF radio. These and the other onboard systems draw power from a Kohler 9kVa generator.

KAB seats are available for the occupants while an eight-person liferaft with EPIRB is also fitted should evacuation become necessary.
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video M+ Maritime I ECDIS Safety Settings | Full Video | Episode 1

published on 11 July 2020

M+ releases the 1st video of ECDIS competency series on “Safety Settings” presented by Safe Lanes. Use them for training crew, enhance safety standards & professional knowledge. Stay tuned for our upcoming series on ECDIS competency, Anchor losses, Incidents, PCS & vetting preparations & Human Elements training. These “first of it's kind” learning videos are based on PSC & vetting observations to provide solutions & enhance your professional competency. Pls feel free to connect to get a...

2

Video ARPA Ground & Sea Stabilisation (Speed over ground & through water) |

published on 11 July 2020

M+ releases it's next interactive video on 'ARPA Ground & Sea Stabilisation; an explanation of 'Speed over ground & Speed through water. Use this video for training crew, enhance safety standards & professional knowledge. Stay tuned for our upcoming series on ECDIS competency, Anchor losses, Incidents, PCS & vetting preparations & Human Elements training. These ‘first of it's kind’ learning videos are based on PSC & vetting observations to provide solutions & enhance your professional...

0

Video Robust pilot boats of Netherlands and Belgium

published on 7 August 2020

These are some of the reliable sturdy Pilot boats of Netherlands and Belgium to bring and pick up Marine Pilots to and from commercial merchant vessels either inbound or outbound. The Marine Pilots are licensed PROFESSIONALS who have a thorough knowledge of a certain port and they guide the Master/Captain of commercial ships in and out of the foreign Seaport. Location: Steenbank Pilot Station, Flushing/Vlissingen Pilot Station, Wandelaar Pilot Station. Boats in order of appearance in this...

0

Article ARANSAS PILOT III – Pilot Boat for Port Aransas, Texas

by Baird Maritime - published on 2 September 2022

Vessel Review by BairdMaritime.com. The Pilot boat was build by Safehaven Marine.

1

Video Liverpool Pilot Boat Razobill

published on 17 August 2020

0

Video SWATH tender "Welingen"

published on 6 May 2024

"Pilot Boat | Life of a Seaman " is an exhilarating video showcasing the operations of a pilot boat in various sea conditions.
Music: Kwon - Into it.
To uncover more captivating glimpses into the seafaring life, dive into the @SeaAdventureChannel. Don't forget to subscribe for more thrilling content. The voyage continues!
#pilotboarding #pilotdisembarkation #pilotboat #lifeofseaman #pilot #boat #Disembarkation #VesselOperations #shiplife #seaman #navigation #maritimesafety #ships...

0

Video Pilot Boat - Carnival Cruise at Port Canaveral

published on 19 September 2019

This is a video of the cruise ship pilot boat that picks up the pilot once he has navigated the ship out of the port. This is a requirement of all cruise ships coming into and leaving out of ports. We also noticed them at the Bahamas. I was able to capture this one on my last cruise leaving out of Port Canaveral... watch as the pilot jumps from the cruise ship to the pilot boat while both are moving! :)

0

Video Belgium Pilot Ship No 7 tie-up in Harbor Flushing after week on Sea.

published on 16 June 2023

From this "tender" the bring pilots to Big vessels with a small boat. You see this small boats on the deck. AIS Name LOODSBOOT 7 PILOT Type Pilot tender FleetMon Pilot tender Icon Flag Belgium Flag of Belgium IMO 8424927 MMSI 205110000 Callsign ORBG Year Built 1978 Length 51 m Width 9 m Draught 3.6 m / 1.3 m / 13.6 m Avg/Min/Max Speed 9.3 kn / 17.4 kn Avg/Max

0

Article "Hanakahi" is the Hawaii Pilots Association’s newest boat

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

Pilot boat Hanakahi inbound to Pier 19, Honolulu Harbor. 18 July 2020.

1

Video Florida Harbor Pilots - Who We Are

published on 19 September 2019

Florida Harbor Pilots - Who We Are

0