The U.K.\u2019s Milford Haven Port Authority (MHPA) has retrofitted its 19-meter pilot boat Picton<\/em> with Zelim\u2019s SWIFT man-overboard recovery conveyor as part of a three-month trial to assess the system\u2019s capability in high sea states.<\/p>\n The Port of Milford Haven<\/a>, located in Pembrokeshire, Wales, frequently endures high sea states due to its geographical location and exposure to Atlantic swells. The man-overboard recovery conveyor has been insalledas part of a three-month trial to assess the system\u2019s capability in high sea states and follows a technology demonstration carried out last year on the River Forth, Scotland, in which multiple in-water \u201ccasualties\u201d were recovered in under one minute from falling overboard.<\/p>\n \u201cDemonstrations last year were a huge success, but the MHPA wanted to retrofit SWIFT to an operational vessel to validate its capability in heavy weather before making any procurement decisions,\u201d said Andy Tipping, Zelim\u2019s business development director. \u201cPerformance is so far as expected. Picton has already trialed SWIFT in 2.5 meter swells, which is the most challenging sea condition we have encountered to date. It\u2019s taken SWIFT to a new level, but it still performed very, very well, as we knew it would.\u201d<\/p>\n John Warneford, MHPA\u2019s assistant harbourmaster, said: \u201cWith the building of new heavy weather pilot boats underway, we were keen to trial SWIFT aboard an operational pilot boat. These trials allow us to better understand how the technology can improve operational safety for our crews and pilots, but it also supports the rapid recovery of any person in the water, especially given the challenging maritime conditions our crews and customers\u2019 crews face.\u201d<\/p>\n If the trials are a success, SWIFT could be integrated into a series of 22 meter pilot boat newbuilds under construction, the first of which Netherlands-based Next Generation Shipyards i<\/a>s set to deliver to MHPA next year.<\/p>\n \u201cPilot boats present a particular challenge to seafarers as they provide a vital service in the worst possible maritime conditions. We have all seen YouTube videos of pilots falling into the sea as they board vessels. This is one of the most dangerous jobs in the maritime industry,\u201d said Tipping. \u201cA SWIFT installation has the potential to set the benchmark high for crew safety.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Zelim](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marinelog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/WEBSIZED-Launch-Crew-Pilots-057.jpg?resize=720%2C480&ssl=1\")