The next 25m SWATH@A&R Pilot Tender is leaving the shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen, Lemwerder. Today the “WIELINGEN” was handed over to the Belgian Pilots. Two SWATH@A&R Pilot Tenders are now available for their service on the Scheldt. The first Pilot Tender “WESTDIEP” was delivered in May 2011. The third and last tender follows in December 2011. The new Pilotage System will be completed by the 60m SWATH@A&R Pilot Stationship in the coming year.
On May 14th, 2009 in Brussels, the Flemish Prime Minister Kris Peeters signed the contract for a new Pilotage System for the Belgian sea ports. The financing was realized through a Public Private Partnership under the auspices of the Dexia group.
The decision for the SWATH@A&R technology was based on the good operational experience of the German pilots:
The Elbe Pilot Association operates successfully since 1999 in the North Sea off Cuxhaven 25m SWATH@A&R Pilot Tender and a 50m SWATH@A&R Pilot Station Ship. These vessels perform their duty in a tough workboat application all the year round – under all weather conditions. Since these ten years pilot operations became safer and more cost efficient.
This reference is confirmed by the Dutch pilots who also operate with two 25m SWATH@A&R Pilot Tender. The SWATH@A&R technology of Abeking & Rasmussen was chosen from a worldwide competition.
Including these new Pilot Vessels, Abeking & Rasmussen has meanwhile delivered or contracted 22 SWATH vessels for customers worldwide, which prove their leadership of this sophisticated technology.
Source: abeking, August 12, 2011.