UK: HUMBER MERCURY Joins ABP’s Humber Pilot Launch Fleet

PV Humber Mercury, the newest addition to Associated British Ports’ (ABP) Humber Estuary Services (HES) fleet of pilot launches, has been officially named in a ceremony held on Wednesday, 13 April at 7 Quay in the Port of Hull’s King George Dock. ABP has invested £1 million in the new Mustang Marine-built Nelson class vessel as part of an upgrade to its fleet of pilot launches.

In a traditional ceremony jointly hosted by Hull & Goole Port Director Matt Jukes and ABP’s Harbour Master for the Humber, Capt. Phil Cowing, pv Humber Mercury was christened by Lady Sponsor Mrs. Laura Fitzgerald, with the Service of Dedication conducted by the Chaplain of the Immingham Seafarers Centre, Father Colum Kelly. Ian Strugnell, Commercial Director of Mustang Marine, presented Mrs. Fitzgerald with a gift of thanks in a presentation held at the quayside. The ceremony was followed by a customer reception at ABP Port House, Hull.

pv Humber Mercury complements the existing four vessels in the pilot launch fleet and 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 Statutory and Competent Harbour Authority.

Capt. Phil Cowing commented: “This is another exciting day for us. As the Harbour Authority for the Humber Estuary, we handle in excess of 30,000 shipping movements annually, of which nearly 18,000 required pilotage in 2010. Delivery of this new vessel will ensure that we are able to offer the best possible service to vessels using the Humber and to keep pace with any future growth in shipping numbers resulting from new trades and wind farm development.”

“The Nelson class vessel, for which Mustang Marine has an exclusive agreement to build under licence, is a proven design with an excellent operational history on the Humber. I would also like to thank Mrs. Fitzgerald for kindly agreeing to be Humber Mercury’s Lady Sponsor.”

Mrs. Fitzgerald said she was honoured to name the vessel, and also highlighted the significance of its new name: “Fittingly, whether god, planet or pilot vessel, Mercury has a special role as the protector of travellers, merchants and trade. This is a welcome addition for all those who work, trade and sail on the Humber.”

Matt Jukes thanked all those who attended: “The pilotage service that we provide on the Humber is vital to the commercial life of the Humber ports and surrounding region. The sizeable 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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Source: ABP, April 14, 2011.