News
New pilot boats ready for the toughest conditions
ST BRIDES, the first of three 19m pilot boats built by Mainstay Marine Solutions, has been delivered to the Port of Milford Haven and was officially blessed on Thursday 24th March by Father Harri Williams of St Katherine’s and St Peter’s Church, before coming into full service.
The 48 tonne vessel is of a similar design to the ‘Picton’ pilot boat delivered to the Port in 2009. Designed by Camarc Design, these vessels have proven reliability of service over many years in the challenging sea conditions which can be found in and around the Port of Milford Haven.
Capable of reaching up to 14 knots with 12 persons on board, the crafts are designed to be used extensively in heavy weather and are likely to operate in swells up to 5m in wave height. They are able to withstand the impact of coming alongside large tankers in turbulent sea conditions and provide a safe platform when transferring pilots to and from ships visiting the various terminals along the Milford Haven Waterway. The boats are fully equipped with the latest safety and operational features and meet the highest standards of reliability and crew safety.
Alec Don, Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven, said: “This substantial investment of over £3.6 million in the complete renewal of our pilot boat fleet will provide the port with three identical, modern, state-of-theart boats with full interchangeability of parts. These boats, together with our highly skilled and trained crews, constitute the backbone of our ability to provide a safe and reliable service to our customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have been impressed with the professional design and fabrication service delivered by Mainstay Marine Solutions who have delivered exactly in line with the contract”.
Stewart Graves, Managing Director of Mainstay Marine Solutions, commented: “We pride ourselves on our reputation for quality so the positive feedback on the finish of the St Brides pilot boat has been particularly pleasing. Delivering three vessels in quick succession has been a welcome challenge and we are on track to deliver the remaining two vessels to the Port of Milford Haven on time, and to budget.”
The three new vessels will replace the Port’s current fleet of four, the ‘Skomer’ and ‘Picton’ which were delivered in 2007 and 2009 respectively in readiness for the arrival of LNG, the ‘Portunus’, and the Port’s oldest vessel, the ‘Hakin’, which has been operating on the Haven since the early 1980s.
‘St Brides’ was named following a public competition which attracted almost one hundred entries. A traditional marine naming ceremony will take place for all three vessels later this year.
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.
Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.
The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.
Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.
Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.
(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
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