Porthos Lima, presented during the 53rd EMPA GENERAL MEETING

My name is Porthos Lima and I am the Technical Director of Brazilian Pilots Association. I have been working as a Pilot for 20 years. I am here today to introduce you to our App "No Rumo Certo". The App was inspired in 2017 IMPA SAFETY CAMPAIGN.

Required tug power and number of tugs needed in variable conditions of wind, current and waves isin most cases an assessment made by pilots based on their professional experience. However, assessments will raise questions by lawyers if something goes wrong. They will use tools to calculate what really is needed with respect to tug power and number of tugs. They have furthermore the advantage of time.

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The use of historical navigation data by ports is essential for safety investigations globally. In the digital age, a wealth of pilotage data is available, aiding operations and training but potentially causing stress if misused.

Research on hydrodynamic interaction indicates that if the speed of the ship near a bank is too high, the rudder may be less able to cope with the forces induced and control will be lost. The Nautical Institute highlights this in its latest Mars Report, in which an LPG carrier hit a barge being towed by a tugboat as a result of hydrodynamic forces.

Alberta's government is proposing to partner with Indigenous communities to build a new West Coast oil export project. In B.C. waters, oil tanker spill prevention depends on locally operated escort tugboats and expert local marine pilots, who safely guide tankers in and out of port. On the southern tip of Vancouver Island, escort tugboats are operated in partnership with the Scia’new First Nation in the community’s territorial waters.

There are some problems that never seem to go away and one is the perennial difficulties in providing a safe way of getting pilots on and off a ship.

Coast Guard air and surface rescue crews at Sector San Juan responded and assisted the distressed M/V Island Express Wednesday afternoon, after the ship started taking on water when it departed the Port of San Juan for storm avoidance in anticipation of Tropical Cyclone 9.

These are various views of the pilot vessels coming and going from the pilot dock in Vlissingen prior to 2020.

Pilot boat Razorbill southbound on the River Mersey, returning from the bar.