Article

USAID ERA Delivers 2nd Pilot Boat to Ukraine


published on 11 November 2024 2395 -

USAID, through its Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), delivered a second pilot boat to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) to improve the efficiency and safety of pilots moving to and from vessels navigating the Danube ports. The pilot boat, Lotsman Bolotin, will replace the outdated pilot boat, Aldebaran, to transport maritime pilots 16% faster to arriving and departing export vessels, ultimately reducing delays and increasing agricultural export turnover to get grain to global markets.

The pilot boat was built in Izmir, Turkey and is specially designed to operate in enclosed harbors and rivers, which is particularly important for ensuring pilot operations in the ports of the Danube region. The pilot boat can accommodate 8 pilots and 2 crew members onboard and move as fast as 32 km/hour; however, the average operational speed is around 15 km/hour. At the average speed, the boat can operate for up to three days without refueling. The 15-meter pilot boat is made of marine grade aluminum and painted orange, making it visible on the water under any conditions. The boat features a wide range of European and American equipment featuring two American Cummins engines and two Alamarin waterjets from Finland.

Lotsman Bolotin is named after Captain Borys Bolotin (1940-2019), a first-class maritime pilot who served as both the Deputy Head (2009-2013) and Head of Danube Unified Sea Pilotage Service of Delta Lotsman (2004-2009). After graduating from Kherson Maritime Lyceum, he dedicated his life to maritime shipping on the Danube. He is buried in Izmail.

Next month, ERA will deliver the third pilot boat, Lotsman Cheberiakov, also being built in Izmir.

Recently, the second pilot boat USAID is building for USPA, named Pilot Cheberiakov, successfully completed sea trials. In total, USPA will receive three pilot boats to further strengthen the export capacity of the Ukrainian economy on the Danube and Black Sea ports.
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video OCEA Launches First Patrol Boat for Ukraine's State Border Guard

published on 10 December 2021

French shipbuilder OCEA today launched the first of twenty "OCEA FPB 98 MKI" patrol boats for the State Border Guard service of Ukraine at its shipyard in Les Sables d'Olonne. ===================== In November 2019, an intergovernmental agreement between France and Ukraine has been signed to support the reinforcement of the maritime safety and security in Ukraine. OCEA won the international consultation launched by the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior. The acquisition contract is for 20...

0

Video The Maritime Blockade of Ukraine | What's Going on With Shipping?

published on 1 June 2022

The Maritime Blockade of Ukraine What's Going on With Shipping? April 22, 2022 In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - former merchant mariner and maritime historian at Campbell University - discusses the ongoing maritime blockade of Ukraine. He assesses some recent commentary and analysis on the naval operation, including the sinking of Moskva, and the commercial implications of the war in the Black Sea. #Ukraine #Russia #BlackSea #Moskva #Blockade #trade #commerce #logistics #supplychain...

0

Video Safehaven Marine: Rough weather sea trials of Svitzer Oued Martil.

published on 17 March 2021

Here’s a nice little video of the sea trials of ‘Svitzer Oued Martil’ including some cool on-board 360 camera footage of her going through some pretty big breaking seas during rough weather testing, and some nice foggy day drone footage and trials alongside the Brittany Ferry ‘Armorique’.

0

Article Gibraltar Pilots order new Seaward 35 pilot boat

published on 5 February 2021

Gibraltar Pilots have chosen a new Seaward Nelson 35 as their next Pilot vessel.

Knowing the practical, seaworthy reliability of the Nelson 35 design, it was only natural that Gibraltar Pilots selected the UK builder, Seaward, for their new vessel.

0

Video New York Harbor Pilot Boat 1 on the Kill van Kull

published on 25 October 2020

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 finds the New York Harbor Pilot Boat No. 1 overtaking the Circle Line Zephyr on a Hidden Harbor Cruise along the Kill van Kull.

0

Article P/B New York Delivered To Sandy Hook Pilots After Conversion Work Completed

published on 10 February 2022

Conversion work, designed and engineered by JMS Naval Architects, of Mystic, CT, has been completed of the former Oil Spill Response Vessel OSRV MAINE RESPONDER to a Pilot Station Vessel for United New York & New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots Association.

0

Article Three new pilot boats for Flinders Ports (Australia)

by Baird Maritime - published on 1 November 2023

South Australian port operator Flinders Ports (FP) has entered into an agreement to purchase three new pilot vessels over the next three years from Melbourne-based boatbuilder Hart Marine.

0

Video Baltic Workboats Steams into the U.S. Pilot Boat Market

published on 29 January 2026

Based in Estonia, Baltic Workboats is a long-tenured boatbuilder for multiple markets, including the demanding pilot boat sector. Late in 2025 in New Orleans BWB debuted a new hybrid electric 17m model, a boat that leans on more than 15 years of accrued experience building larger hybrid electric vessels. Carl Mahler, BWB’s North American sales lead and a harbor pilot himself, discussed with Maritime Reporter TV the value proposition offered by the shipyard, from manufacturing process to...

0

Video Open Waters Program Launch - Maritime Career Development Program

published on 21 January 2022

Open Waters Program Launch - Maritime Career Development Program
Louisiana River Pilots Association - Crescent River Port Pilots - New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association

0

Article Best Medium Pilot Boat "Spirit" by Hart Marine

by Baird Maritime - published on 23 April 2025

Australia’s high-tech FRP specialist boat builder Hart Marine has been building pilot, patrol and rescue boats for a couple of decades. That experience tells as the boats continually improve from an already high base.

0