Neil Dunn

Marine Pilot (Container Specialist) @Associated British Ports

Working within one of the UK’s largest and busiest ports, on some of the world’s largest containerships• Vessels include CMA CGM Explorer Class, Maersk \'E\' Class & Class and 400m ships for Hapag Lloyd, APL, NYK, CMA CGM, MOL, OOCL and Hyundai; responsible for piloting them to and from the container terminal• Whilst acting as Liaison Pilot, assisting with allocation of pilotage resources (including launch requirements)• First direct point of contact for several shipping agents, responsible for the calculation of tidal windows and maximum draughts for arriving and departing specialist containerships• Working a 24/7 roster, currently 9 pilots work each day, 24 hour working day, with 3 or 4 vessel moves per day, ranging from 1 ½ hour to 5 ½ hour per move; typical large containership move is 4 hours, comprising a 1 ½ hour open water transit then 1 ½ hour in harbour transit with up to 1 hour berthing time• Co-ordinating specialist group of pilots, arranging off watch pilots to assist on watch pilots move multiple containerships concurrently, within the agreed parameters• Working group member involved in the instigation and update of the current large containership parameters and guidelines• Regularly attending HR Wallingford Simulator to analyse the effects of capital dredge within the Port of Southampton, including simulations of 430m containerships, as part of continued professional development. Attended escort tug simulator at HR Wallingford