A routine harbour operation turned tense when a mechanical failure left a pilot boat stranded at sea, prompting swift action to avoid a more serious incident.
A quarterly report has revealed how a breakdown aboard a working vessel led to emergency measures, even as officials confirmed the port remains compliant with national safety standards.
The Harbour Master’s quarterly report, presented to councillors, detailed activity between Thursday, October 30 and Thursday, January 29.
During the period, there were no vessel calls to Bideford itself, although activity continued elsewhere in the port area. Two cargo ships unloaded thousands of tonnes of rape meal at Newquay, while a dredger carried out a 14-day campaign transporting sand to Yelland.
The report states that the dredger “Deo Gloria” is expected to return later in the year, with several of its officers applying for pilotage exemption certificates during operations.
A key incident occurred on Wednesday, December 31, when the pilot boat “2 Rivers II” suffered a mechanical failure while escorting the dredger.
A jubilee clip holding a radiator pipe came loose, causing coolant to drain into the vessel’s bilge.
Crew members shut down the engine and anchored the boat in safe water, preventing escalation. The dredger then launched its own vessel to deliver 50 litres of water, allowing the system to be refilled and the pilot boat to return to service.
The report notes the pilot boat is nearly 20 years old, with regular maintenance carried out. It adds that this was the first such incident since 2017, although any emerging trends in equipment failure will be monitored.
Officials also highlighted the port’s top safety risks, including vessels sinking alongside, pilot boarding operations, and potential machinery breakdowns.
Despite the incident, the port’s safety management system has been reviewed and updated, with the Harbour Master confirming compliance with the Port and Marine Facilities Safety Code.
The council is now seeking approval to formally declare that compliance to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency before the required deadline.
The report concludes that the harbour authority remains compliant, with members asked to note and discuss the findings.
