Lifeline system enhances pilot boat crew safety
A rail and trolley system installed by Goodchild Marine and Harken Safety & Rescue ensures crew cannot fall overboard.
The Port of London Authority made headlines with the UK’s first plug-in diesel hybrid pilot boat Leader, but the vessel’s crew safety considerations were also ground-breaking.
The vessel, built by Goodchild Marine, has batteries that provide enough power for 20 nautical miles at up to 15 knots, with diesel engines capable of boosting speed to 19 knots while charging the batteries and providing propulsion.
Along with the unique hybrid technology, the safety of the crew during pilot transfers, inspections, maintenance and general movement on the vessel was paramount.
Goodchild collaborated with Harken Safety & Rescue to install the TR31 Tight Radius rail and trolley system on Leader to act as a movable anchorage point, enabling crew to attach securely to a trolley and move freely around the boat without the risk of falling overboard.
The TR31 system features rails made of high-strength marine grade aluminium, complying with two key Maritime and Coastguard Agency requirements. The trolleys, tested to withstand loads of up to 1200kg (2645 lb), ensure maximum safety. The system’s rails can be bent to accommodate directional changes up to a 350mm radius without compromising the trolley’s operation over tight radii and joints.
On Leader, the TR31 system was installed around the wheelhouse and at the bow to enhance safety during on-deck activities.
The integration of the system underscores the importance of having a reliable safety mechanism on pilot vessels.
“The Port of London Authority has Harken Safety & Rescue’s safety equipment fitted on many of our boats and craft and have never encountered any problems,” said Daniel Harwood, Marine Engineering Superintendent at the PLA. “We have found them to be very professional and their products are high quality.
“In the case of Leader, the safety rails were professionally custom bent to match the profile of the boat. This means the finished rail has fewer joins for a smoother system for the carriages to run on and this is a positive aspect which improves the use for crew and pilots when they attach.”
Seawork stand: E32
