Ship Report Podcasts: Pilot boats - a special breed

Following a pilot at fast speed

After years of looking, the Port of Grays Harbor has its new pilot boat, the Vega, to replace the 60-year-old Chehalis.

“We haven't built the perfect boat.”
That's the view of Alan Goodchild from Goodchild Marine, one of the many industry voices who spoke to The Full Ahead Podcast at Seawork, Europe's largest on-water commercial marine and workboat exhibition.
Hear from Alan who talks about the development of the Orca 17m pilot boat.

Brisbane-based Poseidon Sea Pilots has contracted local Queensland shipbuilder, Norman R.Wrights & Sons to build million of dollars in pilot boats.

The 160 pilots allotted to the PZ are distributed in eight pilot companies responsible for attending ships that seek the ports or terminals of Santana (AP), Munguba (PA), Santarém (PA), Trombetas (PA), Juruti (PA) and Itacoatiara (AM), as they sail upriver (against the current).

Pilotage is being able to navigate safely into and out of a harbour/anchorage/port knowing where you are at all times, where your hazards are and a safe route in/out. This is particularly useful if you are heading into somewhere new or a challenging/busy area – or both!

Inbound Vessel Passing Jungkat Pilot Station. 

Bulk carrier COFCO 1 with 41,900 tons of soybean resumed sailing downstream after grounding, which took place on May 25-26, but at around 0630 UTC May 27 she ran aground again, this time in San Pedro area at 269 kilometer mark, Parana river.