Abeking & Rasmussen SWATH Technology

At the A&R shipyard in Germany, the successful principle of SWATH boats was further developed in 2013: The SWASH principle allows sea-going, smaller and more economical boats.

SWATH and SWASH are interesting technologies that allow a vessel to sail much more calmly in high waves. A stable and calm position of the ship is especially important for pilot boarding.

Vessel name: Polaris ; Year built: 2012 ; Flag: Netherlands ; Homeport: Rotterdam Length: 81.2m X 13.3m ; GRT: 2501 ; Callsign: PBZN ; MMSI:245142000 ; IMO: 9496915 Type: Special Vessel / Pilot Ship A "Pilot Ship / Pilot Vessel" is a "special type" of ship in which it accommodates a certain and limited Marine Pilots (Sea, River, Harbor Pilots), it also carries small boats/crafts that are used to tender services to and from the Pilot ship. In a Pilot Vessel, the Pilots can take their time...

When you think about SWATH ships, remember seakeeping. Imagine gliding gently over waves. That serenity is what SWATH ships deliver. It comes at the price of several new design challenges. But for the right mission, a SWATH is worth it. Maybe the tradeoffs are right for you? Learn about the strengths and weaknesses of a SWATH. REFERENCES [1] Mecaflux, "Midship, Frontal Surface Area and Flotation," Mecaflux, [Online]. Available: https://www.mecaflux.com/en/Maitre_couple.htm. [Accessed...

The investment in the vessels to work on the busy waterways will see the arrival next year of the next generation of pilot boats built by Holyhead Marine.

Montrose Port Authority's new pilot boat was welcomed by water cannons as it arrived at its new home at the port of Montrose on Thursday 22nd December, making its journey from Ireland where the boat was constructed.
Read more about the pilot boat arrival on the Montrose Port Authority website: https://montroseport.co.uk/2022/12/23/pilot-boat-new/

At the mouth of the Columbia River lies "The Graveyard of the Pacific"—the deadliest river bar crossing on earth. To get a massive cargo ship safely through these crushing waves, an elite Bar Pilot has to board a moving ship by climbing a rope ladder and get's hoisted off the ship by helicopter 10 miles off shore in the Pacific Ocean. In this episode of What do you Wanna Cook?: PORTS UNKNOWN, we get you as close to the action as humanly possible. We take you inside the cockpit for an...

I have had the privilege of being at quite a number of meetings, conferences and seminars, sometimes representing The Netherlands, but mostly representing the Netherlands pilots. I have had many discussions about the role of pilots and pilot organisations, which lead me to write an article “What is the added value of pilotage?”, published in the February 2020 issue of Seaways.