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Sabine Pilots Association News

17 May 2021

Sabine Pilots Association Opens New HQ

(Photo: Sabine Pilots Association)

The Sabine Pilots Association on Monday formally opened its new headquarters located in Port Arthur, TexasThe new structure is designed and built to enable the Sabine Pilots to handle the growth and challenges of expanding shipping demands on their waterway.Present at the opening ceremony were some 500 maritime community stakeholders as well as elected and appointed governmental and port area leaders. Speakers were Captain Charles A. Tweedel, President of the Sabine Pilots, and Father Sinclair Oubre' of the Port Arthur Seafarer Center and Apostleship of the Sea…

19 Feb 2013

Panama Canal Administrator Presents Expansion Program

Jorge L. Quijano at Conference

Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano presented the Panama Canal Expansion Program during his recent visit to Lamar University, in Beaumont, Texas. During the conference, Quijano highlighted the impact of the Panama Canal Expansion on the U.S. Gulf ports, focusing on those located in Texas. “An important number of the vessels of various segments that transit the Canal today have as port of origin or destination the U.S. Gulf ports. Furthermore, once the Panama Canal Expansion…

15 Mar 2010

Hearings Adjourn in Port Arthur

Photo courtesy USCG

The Coast Guard adjourned the formal hearings, Thursday, March 11, concerning the Jan. 23, 2010, incident involving the tank vessel Eagle Otome, the Gull Arrow and the tug Dixie Vengeance. The incident resulted in more than 400,000 gallons of oil being spilled into the Sabine-Neches waterway. Eric Lewis, the VTS watchstander, testified concerning his training, maritime experience, and the details of the displays and sensors he monitors as a watchstander. He also described his watch and the geographic area of the waterway he monitors.

02 Oct 2001

Kvichak to Build Pilot Boat, Fire Vessels

Camarc, Ltd. and Kvichak Marine Industries have teamed up once again to design and build an all-aluminum 72-ft. pilot boat. The new boat, scheduled for a Summer 2002 delivery, is for the Sabine Pilots Association of Groves, Texas and will operate year-round in the waters of Sabine Pass. Power is provided by twin Detroit Diesel 16V2000 engines rated for 1,285 bhp each at 2,100 rpm, and Hamilton HM651 waterjets were chosen as the propulsors. This combination is designed to allow excellent maneuverability, a top speed of 28 knots, and a cruising speed of 26 knots. The patented "Popsafe" fendering system will be used to protect the vessel hull while boat and pilot transfers are made.

23 Aug 2001

Camarc And Kvichak Marine Team Up Again

Camarc and Kvichak Marine Industries have joined together once again to design and build an all-aluminum 72-ft. (22 m) pilot boat. The new vessel, which is scheduled for a Summer 2002 delivery, is for the Sabine Pilots Association of Groves, Texas, and will operate year-round in the waters of Sabine Pass. The vessel's power will be supplied by twin Detroit Diesel 16V2000 engines rated for 1,285 bhp each at 2,100 rpm; Hamilton HM651 waterjets were selected for the propulsors. This combination will allow excellent maneuverability, a top speed of 28 knots, and a cruising speed of 26 knots. The patented popsafe fendering system will be used to protect the vessel's hull while boast and pilot transfers are made.

10 Oct 2002

New Demands on Pilot Boats

The tightening of port security in the United States has impacted practically every vessel that operates in U.S. harbors. That includes the small, often-forgotten pilot boats that transport state licensed pilots to vessels entering a harbor or waterway. With recently imposed security measures mandating large ships wait further outside a harbor or waterway, pilot boats in some cases must travel twice as far before the pilot transfer can take place, according to Winn Willard of C. Raymond Hunt Associates, Boston, Mass., designers of pilot boats with 25 years experience in the field. Gladding Hearn, Somerset, Mass. is one of the busiest shipyards in the nation.