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You are here >> About the PLA >> Pilot Cutters

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Pilot Cutters

Pilot Cutters are used to take Pilots between the three Pilot Stations (at Gravesend, Harwich and Ramsgate) and ships entering or leaving the Port.

A dedicated Pilot Cutter called 'Patrol' is used at Gravesend, but the six cutters used at Ramsgate are operated by a separate company called Estuary Services Limited (ESL). This company is jointly owned by the PLA and Medway Ports Ltd.

PLA Pilots based at Harwich use cutters operated by Harwich Haven Authority by arrangement.

PLA Pilot Cutters

'Patrol'
	This vessel was purchased by the PLA, from Estuary Services Limited, in 1994. Patrol was built in 1982, by Halmatic, on a RNLI Arun-type hull and was given a major refit in 1998. With an overall length of 16.4m and a draught of 2m, she is powered by twin Scania DSI 16 engines giving over 1100 bhp and a maximum speed of 20 knots. Like the Benfleet she is equipped with a hydraulic recovery platfom on the stern, for rescue purposes.
'Benfleet'
	The 'Benfleet' is a dual-purpose William Osborne design based on a Talisman 49 hull. She was built in 1997 and has a length of 15m, a draught of 1.3m and displaces 22 tonnes. Powered by twin Volvo TAMD 122P engines giving 530 bhp, she has a maximum speed of 24 knots. 'Benfleet' can also be used as a Pilot Cutter having been certified by MCA for use in both roles. She is equipped with a stern recovery platform for rescue purposes.