£1m pilot boat launched to improve safety for shipping

The Humber Mercury, a Mustang Marine-built Nelson class vessel, complements the existing four boats in the pilot launch fleet and is capable of carrying eight pilots and a crew of two at speeds of up to 23 knots.

ABP said the investment demonstrated its commitment to the safety and efficiency of the pilotage operations on the Humber, the UK’s busiest commercial waterway.

Humber Mercury was named in a traditional ceremony at King George Dock, Hull, attended by ABP’s Hull and Goole port director Matt Jukes, its Humber harbour master Capt Phil Cowing, Mustang Marine commercial director Ian Strugnell and its lady sponsor Laura Fitzgerald, after a service of dedication by Fr Colum Kelly, chaplain of the Immingham Seafarers’ Centre.

Capt Cowing said the fleet would now be able to cope with a growth in shipping.

He said: “As the harbour authority for the Humber estuary, we handle in excess of 30,000 shipping movements annually, of which nearly 18,000 required pilotage in 2010.

“Delivery of this new vessel will ensure that we are able to offer the best possible service to vessels using the Humber and to keep pace with any future growth in shipping numbers resulting from new trades and wind farm development. The Nelson class vessel, for which Mustang Marine has an exclusive agreement to build under licence, is a proven design with an excellent operational history on the Humber.”