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Unit OT 18-35, Level 18, Central Park Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, P.O. Box 18006, United Arab Emirates
16200 Central Green Blvd
GAC Regional Office, Asia Pacific 78 Shenton Way, #29-01
Group Vice President, Asia Pacific & Indian Subcontinent
Unit OT 18-35, Level 18, Central Park Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, P.O. Box 18006, United Arab Emirates
Unit OT 18-35, Level 18, Central Park Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, P.O. Box 18006, United Arab Emirates
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31 Oct 2023 / Beaumont, United States
Sabine Bank Pilots will be conducting a three-month helicopter trial commencing on January 1, 2024. Brim Aviation will be the aviation contractor conducting the trial. One (1) MD 902 helicopter, capable of carrying up to three Sabine Pilots, will be used during this trial period.
The purpose of the trial is to determine whether an airborne pilot delivery method is a financially and logistically feasible alternative for our customers and the Sabine Pilots relative to vessel boardings and disembarkations on the Sabine Bank channel, which is currently in the process of being extended by 13.2 miles. We are conducting this helicopter trial prior to the completion of the bank channel extension as part of our continuing efforts to ensure we are providing the safest, most reliable, and cost-effective pilotage services that our customers have come to expect from us.
The first two months of the trial period will be conducted during daylight hours while beginning on the third month of the trial period, we will start utilizing the helicopter 24 hours a day. During the trial period, the helicopter will be used in conjunction with the pilot boats. In that regard, pilot boats will continue to be utilized for boardings and disembarkations at the inner boarding station located at Buoys 29 and 30, while the helicopter will be utilized outside the inner boarding station. Only select Sabine Pilots will be transported via helicopter during this trial period.
The funding for this helicopter trial will come from a temporary increase in the current boat/transportation fee that is charged to vessels that request their pilots to board or disembark at or beyond the Sabine Bank Buoy.
The current charge per vessel is $1,025.00. We will increase this charge to $2,480.00 per pilot delivered during the trial period and for one month after it concludes, as we anticipate that a four-month increase in the transportation fee will result in a better estimation of the annual costs that would be incurred in the event the helicopter is eventually adopted for use on a permanent basis.
Again, this increase is temporary and is being imposed solely to offset the increased costs that will be associated with the helicopter trial. Once the helicopter trial is concluded, the boat/transportation fee will return to $1,025.00 per vessel beginning on May 1, 2024.
(For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at [email protected])
Source: Sabine Pilots letter dated 26 October 2023