A new real-time monitoring solution is transforming port safety and decision-making for the UK’s Peel Ports Group pilot team.
OceanWise has partnered with Peel Ports and Cefas to link an existing wave data buoy directly to Port-Log, the environmental data platform used across the port.
The integration now delivers continuous, real-time wave data straight to the teams responsible for pilot operations.
“Having real-time wave data available (in Port-Log) has transformed the way we assess pilot boarding conditions,” said Russell Bird, deputy group harbour master, Peel Ports Group.
”We can now make faster, better-informed decisions that keep our pilots safe and our operations running smoothly.”
More precise data
Peel Ports pilots regularly travel into the Irish Sea to board arriving vessels, a process that depends on precise timing and reliable assessments of sea conditions.
Sudden shifts in wave height can make transfers hazardous and until this upgrade pilots had limited access to live environmental information.
Although the Cefas buoy positioned near a key boarding location was collecting essential wave data, the readings were not readily available to pilots or control teams, leaving critical go/no-go decisions to judgement and experience rather than current conditions.
The upgrade means Port and VTS teams can check near real-time wave conditions instantly from any smart device, gaining a far clearer picture of offshore activity.
This improved visibility is helping to reduce unnecessary trips into challenging seas, strengthen port safety procedures and support more consistent operational planning.
