North Queensland Bulk Ports Pilots take on the virtual reality of the Shipping Simulator

Text and photos by Tonci Regjo
Pilot for the Split Harbour

The desire to improve efficiency and crew comfort has resulted in a new approach to hull design. Built from the ground up this new Pilot Boat design utilises an Extra Long Waterline (XLW) to maximise the waterline length.

Throughout the world, mariners rely upon nautical charts to guide their voyages, to assist them in avoiding obstructions, and to note any special ocean conditions when sailing.

U.S. Coastgard has published an update of their Recommendation for Pilot Transfer Arrangements in latest Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIB).

"Recent deaths of maritime pilots while embarking commercial vessels highlight the risks of operating in an
unforgiving maritime environment. To ensure the safety of all personnel boarding a vessel at sea, the Coast
Guard reminds vessel owners and operators of the requirements contained in the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter V, Regulation 23 and strongly recommends that owners and operators follow the recommendations within IMO Resolution A.1045(27) – Pilot Transfer Arrangements. "

East China is home to the world's biggest port in terms of cargo throughput. Every day, ocean tankers filled with critical resources like iron ore and crude oil pass through the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port as fully-loaded container ships arrive from all over the world. Marine pilots are the first to meet the incoming ships, and the last to see them out. They are tasked to help maneuver the giant vessels through China's busy waterways. Follow CGTN reporter Huang Fei to find out more about our...

The entrance to Cork Harbour situated on the South coast of Ireland can produce some pretty extreme sea states during the winter storm months. There are two main factors that influence the sea state at the entrance, the first being the ebbing tide, the second being shoaling waters over the Harbour Rock, this is situated at the entrance to the Harbour off Roches Point lighthouse, right in the middle between the Western and Eastern channel entrances.

SWR-120 is a multi-purpose, heavy-duty, high-speed planing boat for operation in costal sea areas, in open sea as a daughtercraft and in lakes and rivers in any climate zone