The Dutch coaster Mv. Stroombank is leaving the port of Figueira da Foz in Portugal. Normally operations are restricted to daylight only, but because bad weather was forecasted for the days to come we've received an exemption and were allowed to depart during dark hours. Cargo operations were running close to the departure deadline so we quickly secured the cargo and prepared the vessel for sea. The tide was running out so we used the forward spring to keep position as we went slow astern...
The Federal New York and the M.S. Westcott Sliding through the Detroit River in May 2026, the Federal New York towered over the tiny but legendary M.S. Westcott, a perfect Great Lakes contrast of scale and tradition. Built in 2024 for Fednav, Canada’s largest dry-bulk shipping company, the Federal New York stretches nearly 656 feet long, carries roughly 34,700 deadweight tons, and was designed specifically for efficient St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes service. Alongside her, the M.S....
The Puget Sound Pilots’ mission is to ensure against the loss of lives, loss of or damage to property and vessels, and to protect the marine environment by maintaining efficient and competent pilotage service on our State’s inland waters within the Puget Sound Pilotage District. The members of the Pilots are highly skilled, specially trained vessel captains who board oil tankers, cargo vessels and cruise ships to guide them safely through Puget Sound waters. The pilots are independent...
The hazards of Pilot boarding
Throughout 2016, the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) held a safety campaign focused upon the standard of pilot ladders and associated equipment. CHIRP supported this campaign and received many reports on the subject.
This first report describes issues concerning pilot access near
the non-parallel ends of a ship, and use of a retractable platform.
