SWATH@A&R pilotage system for the river Scheldt

The Flemish Prime Minister Kris Peeters signed a contract with 'German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen for a new Pilotage System for the Belgian sea ports.
The financing was achieved through a Public Private Partnership under the auspices of the Dexia group.
Abeking & Rasmussen will deliver three 25m SWATH@A&R Pilot Tender and
one 60m SWATH@A&R Pilot Station Ship in 2011 and 2012.
The decision for the SWATH technology was based on the good operational experience of the German pilots:
The Elbe Pilot Association operates since 1999 in the North Sea off Cuxhaven 25m SWATH@A&R Pilot Tender and a 50m SWATH@A&R Pilot Station Ship. These vessels perform their duty in a tough workboat application all the year round - under all weather conditions. Since these ten years pilot operations became safer and more cost efficient.
This reference is confirmed by the Dutch pilots who operate one of their 25m SWATH@A&R Pilot Tender on the river Scheldt.
The SWATH@A&R technology of Abeking & Rasmussen was chosen from a worldwide competition.
Including these new Pilot Vessels, Abeking & Rasmussen has meanwhile delivered or contracted 20 SWATH vessels for customers worldwide, which prove their leadership of this sophisticated technology.