• Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • The UK Ports Industry
    • Port Skills and Safety
    • British Ports Association
    • Other Partner Organisations
  • Policies
    • Safety
    • Environment
    • Local communities
    • Developing skills
    • EU
    • Working with Devolved Administrations
    • Road and Rail Links to Ports
  • Ports
  • News
    • UKMPG News
    • Members News
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Members
    • Log In
    • Log Out

UK Major Ports Group

UK Major Ports

Members News:
NEW BRITISH BUILT PILOT BOAT FOR THE THAMES AND MEDWAY

February 23, 2017 by Lianne Stephens

Estuary Services Limited launches boat replacement programme

Estuary Services Limited (ESL), a joint venture between the Port of London Authority (PLA) and Peel Ports London Medway, is continuing its fleet replacement plan and buying another new pilot boat for its pilot transfer operations serving the ports of London and Medway.

ESL currently has a fleet of six vessels including two 17.1 metre ORC class vessels that carry marine pilots from the Kent coast to board ships, in the Thames Estuary.  The ships which are arriving from all over the world are then guided by the pilots up river to deliver their cargoes to terminals and jetties on the Thames and Medway.

The new vessel, which is currently in the early build stage, is a £1.3 million ORC 136.E.  Designed by renowned French Naval Architects Pantocarene, the vessel is being built by Goodchild Marine Services in Great Yarmouth, who have 39 years’ boat building experience. The build of each of the new boats in the replacement programme is staggered to give ESL’s crew time to train and adjust as they replace the older vessels in the fleet.

The ORC has proven to be ESL’s most efficient pilot boat design with 24% fuel efficiency over the older vessels in the fleet. The most recent additions to the ESL fleet, Estuary Elan and Estuary Elite, are also ORCs, which like the new vessel feature a unique ‘beak’ bow design, which gives it unmatched all weather capability.  The wheelhouse is quieter, vibration-free and more comfortable for crew and pilots.

ESL transfers pilots to more than 10,000 ships in the Thames’ southern approaches every year, including cruise ships, containers vessels, tankers and general cargo carriers. The main pilot boarding station is 8 miles from Ramsgate which the launches reach at a speed of 25 knots; their top speed is 28 knots.

Ian Lord, ESL general manager said “We know the ORCs are more fuel-efficient.  They are also more comfortable for crews and pilots, ensuring all they arrive in the best possible condition to navigate ships on the Thames and Medway.”

Peter Steen, Port of London Authority director of marine operations and a director of ESL, said: “The ORCs have proven to be more efficient and reliable, so the new boat will certainly help us with our mission to provide the best service possible to customers moving trade through the Thames and Medway ports.”

British Built Pilot Boat

Filed Under: Members News

Sign Up For Updates

Add your email address to be notified whenever we post news updates.

Events

March 2021
MTWTFSS
« Feb   Apr »
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31     

Recent News

Commitment to Sustainable Freeports

Commitment to Sustainable Freeports

January 18, 2021 By Lianne Stephens

BLOG: Five Trends for UK Ports in 2021

BLOG: Five Trends for UK Ports in 2021

January 13, 2021 By Lianne Stephens

UK Major Ports Group comments on current COVID-19 border congestion

December 21, 2020 By Lianne Stephens

UK Major Ports Group responds to demands for an inquiry about port congestion

UK Major Ports Group responds to demands for an inquiry about port congestion

December 17, 2020 By Lianne Stephens

About UK Major Ports Group

The United Kingdom Major Ports Group Ltd (UKMPG) was formed in 1993 and is the trade association representing most of the larger commercial ports in the United Kingdom. It has nine members who, between them, own and operate over 40 ports, accounting for more than 70% of the total tonnage handled in UK ports. … Continue Reading

Latest Tweets

  • With full business rate reform, the government can incentivise the private sector to provide much needed investment… https://t.co/3pTkvzMWbR Yesterday at 12:45 pm
  • A new paper, co-sponsored by UKMPG, has revealed that shore-power is vital in the drive for net-zero carbon emissio… https://t.co/gILSRaESE9 Yesterday at 9:57 am
  • Ports work hard to reduce emissions but face major investment obstacles and Government has a vital role in supporti… https://t.co/6KfQYIXF1w February 26, 2021 12:00 pm
  • Ports work hard to reduce emissions but face major investment obstacles and Government has a vital role in supporti… https://t.co/x7Ig2twakr February 26, 2021 12:00 pm
  • Follow us on Twitter

Contact Us

UK Major Ports Group
1st Floor
30 Park Street
London
SE1 9EQ

Tel. +44 (0) 20 7260 1785

Copyright © 2021 · UK Major Ports Group · Built by Blue Pie Media

This site uses cookies: Find out more.