News

April 13, 2012
“SKIRMISH” - A welcome addition to the Fleet

January 01, 2006
Taking Control

January 01, 2009
20 Years Service Recognised

“SKIRMISH” - A welcome addition to the Fleet
April 13, 2012

Brisbane Marine Pilots (BMP) has proudly taken delivery of its 4th generation Pilot vessel to service the Port of Brisbane.

“Skirmish”, a Norman R. Wright and Sons designed and built Pilot vessel, entered service in April 2012 marking a significant step forward in the provision of Pilotage transfer operations within the Port. The naming of the vessel follows the BMP tradition of utilising local navigational areas of interest, with Skirmish passage being the channel that lies to the east of Bribie Island in Moreton Bay.

This latest vessel represents a significant investment in the future of Pilot transfers delivering improved flexibility in personnel transport, enhanced sea keeping and hull durability with full self righting capability, reduced fuel consumption and a significantly lower carbon footprint than previous vessels, utilising engines rated to Euro 6 emission standards.

“Skirmish” is capable of transferring up to 12 personnel while maintaining a service speed of 20 knots. The hull design allows for transfers to be undertaken in all weather conditions that are experienced in its area of operation, even during the most challenging seasons. Additional electronic enhancements improve the vessel’s Search and Rescue capabilities. This includes the installation of a “state of the art” thermal imaging camera coupled with an MOB tracking system for the individual personnel locator beacons which are issued to all Pilots and transferring personnel. A leading edge integrated navigation and communications package complements the vessel’s operational capability.

BMP’s investment underpins the growing pilot transfer task in the Port of Brisbane with the vessel expected to undertake in excess of 60,000 transfers across its minimum expected service life of 20 years.

While “Skirmish” is the most recent addition to the now four vessel fleet, BMP has long recognised the criticality of maintaining all vessels to a standard that sees them in a constant state of readiness to serve. Investment in a computer based maintenance package, regular scheduled servicing and slipping, along with both electronic equipment and running equipment upgrades and refurbishments, allows BMP to deliver Pilots and on time, every time.

BMP is committed to the continued investment and utilisation of technology enabling them to maintain their high level of service that has served the Port of Brisbane and the community well over the past two decades and will allow them to do so for many years to come. This new vessel demonstrates the ongoing commitment to the safety of our personnel while minimising any operational impact on the environment.

For further information regarding the “Skirmish”, please don’t hesitate in contacting Stuart Godfrey or Brenton Winn on (07) 3862 2238.

Taking Control
January 01, 2006

Manoeuvring a 247-metre long, 45,000-tonne vessel out of port safely and navigating it along the coastline is no easy task. Kylie Jackes climbs aboard the Santa Elena I to see how it's done.

If you've ever looked out from Point Cartwright and spied a small yellow-and white boat charging powerfully towards a container ship on the horizon, it is probably a pilot on his way to work. If the boat is headed to shore, he's probably just knocked off. It's a familiar sight off the coast as up to 50 container ships traverse the shoaled waters between Mooloolaba and Brisbane each week.

To navigate through this somewhat tricky stretch of Moreton Bay, a pilot's expertise and local knowledge are required. One person who knows this stretch of water well is Coolum local Nick Fischer, who has piloted ships in and out of the Port of Brisbane for the past three years. On the day I meet Nick his work day starts at the docks on Fisherman Island where a Liberian-registered container ship, bound for China, is waiting for him to board. As we approach the vessel the first thing that strikes me is its sheer size. While the Santa Elena I is smaller than some of the ships Nick pilots, she certainly carves an impressive figure at a hefty 45,000 tonnes and towering eight storeys above sea level and four storeys below the water.

After breathlessly scaling the stairwell, which just keeps going up, we arrive at the bridge, where Nick meets captain Maik Silvio, who has been at sea for the past four months. The two already know each other as Nick brought the ship into dock the previous day and it's clear there is mutual respect between the two. ?I trust him,? Maik says in a thick German accent. ?He did not get too many scratches on the ship when we came in,? he chuckles. Later Nick explains that, as a pilot, it is fundamental to establish a good rapport between the bridge team, which includes the captain, chief officer, quartermaster and chief helmsman, all of whom can come from different parts of the world. And, while good communication and understanding are paramount, a myriad of languages and cultural nuances can make the job quite challenging.

?It can be very difficult for the captain, to have someone else come aboard and bark orders at his staff,? Nick says. ?The bridge structure you create and the way you position yourself and communicate is key. It might sound regimented when I am calling out orders, but communication has to be very clear and precise.? One of the systems he has put in place to avoid confusion is numbered wooden blocks, which he changes to correspond with the various bearings he gives the helmsman. Although Nick says he sometimes feels as if he barks commands, his manner is assertive, yet respectful. And, after working at sea for the past 25 years, it is evident he understands and appreciates the different roles on board, having moved through the ranks himself.

Nick?s love of ships and navigation was sealed after a trip to Devonport as a 12-year-old. ?I grew up in Latrobe in Tasmania and the two successful people in the town were a doctor and a lawyer, and I thought to myself ?All they see are people's problems? and I knew that wasn't something I wanted to do,? he says. ?One day my friend and I rode into Devonport on our bikes and there was a large ship in port, which was registered in Hamburg. We were able to go on board and have a look around and I thought to myself that the best job was the navigator and, 30 years later, I still think it's the best job.?

At 17, Nick had his first genuine taste of life at sea during a cadetship at the National Maritime College in Tasmania. After graduating he spent the next 15 years on commercial tanker fleets. Wanting to spend more time with his young family, Nick made the switch from captain to pilot a decade ago and clearly loves the role, which lets him pursue his love of navigation while still working close to home. As one of 35 people appointed by Brisbane Marine Pilots, Nick considers himself one of the lucky few to sail daily on picturesque Moreton Bay. Yet as he starts to discuss th

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