Enhancing Safer Maritime Operations: How ABP Leverages Raymarine Technology for Pilot Boat Navigation

Associated British Ports (ABP) is the UK’s largest port operator, managing 21 strategically located ports across England, Scotland, and Wales. These ports are vital gateways for international trade, supporting over £150 billion of UK trade annually. ABP plays a critical role in ensuring the safe, efficient movement of commercial vessels, cargo, and passengers—keeping the nation’s supply chains flowing.

The Challenge: Navigating High-Risk Waters with Confidence

Pilotage is one of the most safety-critical operations in commercial shipping. ABP’s pilot boats are responsible for transferring maritime pilots to and from large vessels navigating congested and often challenging waters—such as the approaches to Cardiff in South Wales. These operations demand precision, reliability, and situational awareness, especially in poor visibility or adverse weather conditions.

To standardise and streamline operations, ABP committed to a one-design pilot boat fleet, partnering with Goodchild Marine for vessel construction. The next step was to identify a marine electronics solution that could deliver exceptional navigational performance, intuitive usability, and fleet-wide consistency.

Enhancing Safer Maritime Operations with ABP

The Solution: Fleet-Wide Integration of Raymarine Systems

After a thorough evaluation of marine navigation technologies, ABP selected Raymarine to equip its entire UK pilot boat fleet. The decision was driven by Raymarine’s reputation for:

• High-definition radar clarity for enhanced situational awareness
• User-friendly interfaces that reduce cognitive load on operators
• Rugged, weather-resistant hardware built for demanding maritime environments
• Seamless integration across multiple vessels, ensuring consistency and ease of training

“The integration of Raymarine systems on our pilot boats has significantly improved our operational efficiency and safety,” said Gareth Robins, Harbour Master for ABP Wales. “The ease of use and consistent interface across our fleet have been game-changing.”

Safer, Smarter, More Efficient Pilotage

The benefits of Raymarine’s advanced marine electronics have been immediate and measurable:

• Reduced training time: Operators can transition between vessels without retraining, thanks to the standardised interface.
• Improved navigational accuracy: Superior radar performance reduces manual adjustments, enabling precise navigation in low visibility and high-traffic areas.
• Enhanced safety: Real-time situational awareness supports safer pilot transfers and vessel approaches.

“The radar clarity from Raymarine is exceptional,” added Tony Birr of Goodchild Marine. “It has made navigating in low visibility conditions much safer and more straightforward.”

A New Standard in Pilot Boat Navigation

By integrating Raymarine technology across its pilot boat fleet, ABP has set a new standard for safe navigation, fleet interoperability, and maritime operational excellence.

Read our 'Navigating the Future' article here.