Built by County Cork-based specialists Safehaven Marine, the Skua is the latest, state-of-the-art Interceptor 48 pilot, capable of travelling at 24 knots. The report on her sea trials said that she “performed very well and provides a very quiet and relaxed environment for her crew and pilots”, adding that “she was very easy to control coming alongside, and held station effortlessly” during ship handling trials.
The Skua now joins Liverpool’s other five pilot boats, which are used by the Port’s 47 pilots during their vital work of guiding incoming ships safely into dock. A service of dedication was conducted by the Rev Canon Bob Evans MBE, who for many years was Port Chaplain for the Mersey Mission to Seafarers. Captain Iolo Thomas, chairman of Liverpool Pilots, read the lesson.
At the ceremony, Peel Ports Mersey managing director Gary Hodgson said: “Pilot Boats are a critical part of our Port infrastructure, and provide the vital link in ensuring a safe passage for all vessels entering or leaving our facilities, and whilst our existing fleet have served us well this significant investment is the first in our programme of replacing the existing fleet.”
The Skua is the latest in a long line of pilot craft servicing ships headed for Liverpool, going back to the Nelly in 1766, which was based at Anglesey. The first pilot boat based at Liverpool was the Liver 7 in 1788. It wasn’t until 1962 that the first motor launch services were introduced, the Puffin and Petrel – names still in use in the current fleet.