Pilot - Skirmish

Launched in April 2012 for the Brisbane Marine Pilots, Skirmish now operates out of Mooloolaba.

The $1.5 million Skirmish, a 14.2-metre vessel built by Norman R Wright & Sons, is propelled by twin 11-litre Cummins QSM11 engines rated at 455 hp and will carry out more than 60,000 pilot transfers over its minimum expected service life of 20 years... the (Brisbane Pilots) operation has 37 pilots – all former ships’ masters – who guide the ships on their journey of 50 nautical miles into the Port of Brisbane and then out again. The ships vary in size from 50 metres to close to 300 metres, while the biggest tankers have a beam up to 50 metres.

Watching a sea pilot – a tiny figure framed against the vast hull of a ship nearly 300 metres long – clamber from the pitching deck of a launch on to a swaying, slippery rope ladder dangling over the ship’s side emphasises just how hazardous their job can be.

cumminscommentary.com/2013/02/12/pilots-in-skirmish-at-sea/

Mooloolah River, Queensland.

23/30 Yellow April, 12 Months/365 Days in Colour.