THE acquisition of the new pilot launch, M.L. Kakabelly, by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and its announcement about the training of new pilots have been welcomed by the Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG).

Those developments are expected to enhance the capacity of MARAD to deliver improved services to vessels calling at Port Georgetown, said a press release which indicated that the association looks forward to the benefits for its members.
The release said, for some time, maritime industry operators have had to endure circumstances related to pilotage services that have cost them time and money owing to the unavailability of pilots and an efficient pilot launch to serve international vessels.
The M.L. Kakabelly is reported to be equipped with high-tech computerised fuel efficient components with a maximum speed of 23 knots.  It is MARAD’s anticipation that this factor will hasten industry plans for continued training and human resource development and would allow the department to carry out its mandates more efficiently and effectively.
According to MARAD, the new pilot launch is fast and outfitted to work at night. One implication is that it could play a role in the overall port development effort, by adding to the facilities for port security.
Truly complement
The SAG also anticipates that it will truly complement the work of the older pilot launches, the M.L. Thompson and the M.L. Alan Young.
The new launch was put into operation in December 2012, just after its arrival from the United Kingdom and operates from MARAD’s moorings aback the Stabroek Market in Georgetown.
The SAG said it looks forward to continued improvements and developments in the Demerara Harbour, the most major one being the dredging of the channel to an adequate depth of 6.5 metres.
The current shallow draught of approximately 4.5 metres continues to inhibit the passage of large, laden freight vessels through the navigational channel into Port Georgetown, which could, eventually, cause the ultimate cessation of international marine traffic if the situation is not addressed urgently, the SAG
warned.