Humber Marine Pilots by Correspondent Sarah Corker

UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch has published grounding and recovery of a container feeder vessel and a tug in the approaches to the Humber Estuary in storm force conditions on 15 December 2018.

Departing a 159,000 tonne 274 metre long tanker at the Humber Pilot station

Meet the weather our HM Coastguard Humberside helicopter, RNLI - Humber Lifeboat Station and emergency tugs faced on Saturday when the Thea II grounded. The good news is that she refloated without any pollution reported and has now berthed safely into King George Docks, Hull where she awaits a visit from our MCA surveyors and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch #allsafe

I decided to show the typical happenings when a saltwater freighter arrives Duluth. Most of the time they go to anchor and wait for the Elevator dock. The Pilot Boat brings out the Great Lakes Pilot to sail the ship into the port and to the dock. This vessel arrived early Sunday morning, went to anchor until mid afternoon. They are loading grain at the CHS Elevator in Superor.

As we all know there is a new regulation established since July 2012, this new regulation refers to pilot transfer arrangements. There are other yearly safety campaigns such as IMPA that include SOLAS V.23 and IMO Resolution A 1045 and Resolution A.1108(29). Unfortunately, in this annual overview there were some accidents reported that could have been avoided.

The European Union proposed making so-called pilot services exempt from sanctions targeting the transfer of Russian oil that are set to kick in this year to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

The Pacific Pilotage Authority says: "There is a common misunderstanding amongst vessel operators that vessels built prior to 2012 are exempt from some of the requirements for pilot transfer arrangements. This is incorrect...".

Commander Roberto Bunicci, chief pilot of the Port of Ravenna's Pilots' Guild and already Vice President in office, is the new President of the Italian Federation of Port Pilots.

Goodchild ORC 171 Pilot Boat "Ouse" recently delivered to Associated British Ports (Humber)