News 14th April 2009 MHPA

NEW PILOT BOAT TO SERVICE GREATER LEVELS OF SHIPPING AT MILFORD HAVEN

Milford Haven Port Authority has welcomed delivery of its new £1. 3 million Pilot Boat, as shipping levels at the port are set to reach record-breaking levels this year. ‘Picton’ is the third vessel in a class of high speed, 19.5 metre pilot launches designed by Camarc Ltd and built for the Authority by renowned local firm, Mustang Marine (Wales) Ltd. Similar to ‘Skomer’ - the Pilot launch that the Authority commissioned in 2006 - Picton is part of an ongoing investment programme that has seen significant increases in the level of service offered at the Port.

With a year-on-year growth in commercial traffic movements, Milford Haven is currently the sixth largest port in the UK, handling just under 53m gross tons of shipping last year. Picton’s arrival strengthens the Port’s ability to service this continued increase, particularly with the arrival of LNG.
The Port Authority’s Harbourmaster Mark Andrews is delighted with Picton’s performance since the completion of her final commissioning trials.

“Picton was delivered 4 months ahead of schedule and as such played a vital role in the arrival of Tembek – the first LNG Carrier to enter the port two weeks ago. It was fitting that Picton was the launch that transferred our pilots, playing an important role in the successful entry of Tembek into the Port.” Together with the Authority’s existing fleet of three other Pilot launches, Picton will act principally as a pilot transfer vessel, capable of carrying up to seven pilots and crew and speeds of up to almost 20 knots. The vessel will also fulfil a role as a patrol launch, taking dignitaries and visitors on tours of the Haven.

Kevin Lewis of the build firm, Mustang Marine (Wales) commented “We are absolutely delighted with Picton. She gained enormously by being manufactured to a specification that is very close to that of the previous launch Skomer. Once again working closely with the Port Authority in defining their requirements clearly shows benefits in the finished product in quality, build strategy and time savings, hence early, on budget delivery.”

Picton will be officially named in a traditional marine ceremony at the end of May.