Opinion

Five questions for Douglas Vincett, Industrial & Technical Sales at Spinlock


published on 9 December 2020 153 -

In our new new section “Five questions for ..." Marine-Pilots.com introduces pilots and other market players to our readers in short interviews.

Today we have talked to Douglas Vincett, Industrial & Technical Sales at Spinlock.

What does your company offer and what makes your company unique? 
Spinlock are a leader and innovator in life jacket technology, designing products that offer maximum comfort as well as great in water performance.
 
What is your job at Spinlock and do you have to fulfil special requirements for the job?
I am responsible for developing industrial business at Spinlock as well as helping customer with any technical product enquires.  Pre-Spinlock I worked in the superyacht industry.  The time spent living aboard large yachts full of unique equipment gives me an affinity with those working on water and an understanding of their day-to-day needs. 

What is the best thing about your job and why?
There are many things I enjoy about my job but learning about a customer's product requirements is a fun part of the job, this can involve visiting customers on site, helping to conduct product testing in water and leads to future developments in our product range. 

What is special about offering services/products for pilots?
Spinlock design our life jackets to be more like a piece of sports equipment than basic PPE.  We want to help to prevent pilots from ending up in the water with less restrictive equipment that fits well to the body and allows a pilot to concentrate on the transfer itself.  Of course, if the pilot ends up in the water the Spinlock Deckvest offers great floatation coupled with unique location features like the Pylon and Lume-On life jacket lights.     
 
What is your opinion about Marine‐Pilots.com?
It is fantastic to see Marine-Pilots develop into a place where the global community of pilots can interact together sharing best practice it is great.  This sort of resource is so valuable to companies looking to introduce new products and ideas in to a select group while maintaining it as a professional forum for pilots to engage with their colleagues from around the world.

Editor's note:
Opinion pieces reflect the personal opinion of individual authors. They do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about a prevailing opinion in the respective editorial department. Opinion pieces might be deliberately formulated in a pronounced or even explicit tone and may contain biased arguments. They might be intended to polarise and stimulate discussion. In this, they deliberately differ from the factual articles you typically find on this platform, written to present facts and opinions in as balanced a manner as possible.
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video 19 Meter FRP Pilot Boat | Patrol & VIP Boats | Delivered Fleet

published on 24 March 2026

Successfully delivered 19M FRP Pilot, Patrol, and Security Boat - built for performance, durability, and operational reliability.
The vessel River Pearl-39 is Owned by Knowledge Marine and Engineering Works (KMEW), fully operational with Mumbai Port Trust.
These vessels are designed to meet the rigorous demands of pilotage, coastal security, and marine operations with easy of handling and low maintainence.

0

Video 19 Meter FRP Pilot Boat | Patrol & VIP Boats | Delivered Fleet

published on 20 April 2026

Successfully delivered 19M FRP Pilot, Patrol, and Security Boat - built for performance, durability, and operational reliability.
The vessel River Pearl-39 is Owned by Knowledge Marine and Engineering Works (KMEW), fully operational with Mumbai Port Trust.
These vessels are designed to meet the rigorous demands of pilotage, coastal security, and marine operations with easy of handling and low maintainence.

0

Opinion Ships Pilot Elevator System

published on 27 July 2020

It is frequently a Maritime requirement for a ship to employ and have onboard, a Ships Pilot when entering port. His/ her presence will greatly enhance the safe docking of a vessel into port, harbor or to an anchorage.

0

Video TRENZ Pilot Plug - Startup Procedure

published on 5 July 2019

This video shows the startup procedure of the TRENZ Pilot Plug.
Please visit https://trenz-pilotplug.com/ for more information.

0

Video ESAIL maritime microsatellite

published on 16 September 2020

Soon a Vega will launch from Kourou carrying a payload of several satellites. These will be delivered into orbit by a new multi-payload system developed by ESA. Among these small satellites, E-SAIL. This microsatellite is dedicated to supporting maritime traffic and making seafaring safer. It is part of ESA’s SAT-AIS programme, which aims is to increase the coverage of the Automatic Identification System for ships. This system is a short-range coastal tracking system currently used on...

0

Article SevenCs Shakes Up Digital Navigation for Pilots and Professional Mariners

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 4 June 2020

SevenCs, part of the ChartWorld Group, is pleased to announce the release of our ground-breaking ORCA™ Pilot X software. Originally designed as a primary navigation aid for Pilots, ORCA Pilot X is the industry’s leading tool for professional navigators. In an industry first, ORCA Pilot X is being offered as a free download on the Apple AppStore for iOS tablets.

0

Video SeaSafe - Marine pilot falling off a ships ladder with his integrated life jacket coat

published on 4 July 2019

SeaSafe - Marine pilot falling off a ships ladder with his integrated life jacket coat

0

Article Operational notes & recommendations on Portable Pilot Units (PPU)

by United Kingdom Maritime Pilots Association - published on 2 December 2021

OPERATIONAL NOTES AND RECOMMENDATIONS by UKMPA, February 2017
The introduction of modern lightweight Portable Pilot Units (PPU) for use during pilotage has proved to be another major advance for pilotage operations worldwide.

1

Video Kaarstoe, Norway: Berthing at Jetty 2 of Gassco-Terminal

published on 14 June 2021

In this video you can see the modern port service provided by the port. They have big LNG Powered Tug, modern pilot boat, nicely laid out berth, and experienced/competent pilot.

0

Video PLA Hybrid Pilot Cutter Leader, sea trials

published on 4 June 2021

The plug-in diesel hybrid pilot boat's hull is be based on the established ‘ORC’ design, a unique ‘beak’ bow design, which gives it unmatched all weather capability and typically uses 40% less diesel per nautical mile than convention hulls.

0