NAMING CEREMONY OF HUMBER SATURN RINGS LAST CHANGES TO ABP’S FLEET OF PILOT LAUNCHES
pv Humber Saturn, the newest addition to Associated British Ports’ (ABP) Humber Estuary Services’ (HES) fleet of pilot launches, has been officially named in a ceremony held today (Thursday, 6 July) at Victoria Lock in the Port of Goole. ABP has invested £1.9 million in three new VT Halmatic-built ‘Nelson 48/50’-class vessels to upgrade its fleet of pilot launches.
In a traditional ceremony jointly hosted by Hull & Goole Port Director Matthew Kennerley and ABP’s Harbour Master for the Humber Capt. Phil Cowing, pv Humber Saturn was christened by Lady Sponsor Mrs Moira Kennerley, with the service of dedication conducted by Rev David Whateley, the Mission to Seafarers’ Port Chaplain for the Humber Ports. Mike Harvey the UK Sales & Refit Manager for VT Halmatic, later presented Mrs Kennerley with a gift of thanks in a presentation held outside ABP Goole’s port office.
pv Humber Saturn is the third vessel to be delivered of the three commissioned to replace the three oldest of ABP HES’s fleet of five pilot launches. The first – pv Humber Neptune – came into service in January of this year, and the second – pv Humber Venus – in April. Like her sister vessels, pv Humber Saturn is capable of carrying eight pilots and a crew of two at speeds of up to 23 knots.
This significant investment demonstrates ABP’s commitment to the safety and efficiency of the pilotage operations on the Humber, the UK’s busiest commercial waterway, for which ABP is the Competent Harbour Authority.
Capt. Phil Cowing commented:
“This is an exciting day for us. As the Competent Harbour Authority for the Humber Estuary, we handle some 37,000 shipping movements annually, of which nearly 21,000 require pilotage, and because of the growth in trade, this figure is increasing year-on-year. Delivery of Saturn marks the last stage of this phase of upgrading our fleet of pilot launches. Each will help us ensure that we are able to offer the best possible service to vessels using the Humber.
“The Halmatic Nelson-class vessel is a proven design which has operated successfully on the Humber for many years, and forms the basis of our existing fleet. We are delighted to continue our successful relationship with VT Halmatic. I would also like to thank Mrs Kennerley for being a gracious Lady Sponsor to Humber Saturn.”
Matthew Kennerley thanked all those who attended:
“The pilotage service that we provide on the Humber is vital to the commercial life of the port and surrounding region. The good turnout today, I think, is a reflection of the extremely high regard the local port community has for the service. I would like to thank them all for joining us on this important day.” |
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