TRACKER DUNDEE PILOT BOAT
FORTH Ports, the UK’s third largest port group, has placed an order for two new pilot boats to join their fleet working on the Rivers Forth and Tay. The investment in the vessels to work on the busy waterways will see the arrival next year of the next generation of pilot boats built by Holyhead Marine.
Pilot boats are important vessels on the river as they transport maritime pilots to the ships that need guided safely into port through the lock gates in Leith and Grangemouth, to a berth at a quayside in Dundee or Rosyth or to one of the deep-water anchorages in the River Forth. As the statutory river authority for the Forth and Tay, Forth Ports marine team operate over an area of 280 square miles of navigable waters.
The two pilot boats have been designed in Scotland by Camarc Design and will be built this year by Holyhead Marine in Wales. The pilot boats are 16.6 metres long and are the most advanced boats in operation with an updated hull design and engines offering increased efficiency. In the future, the engines would be capable of operating on HVO fuel (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) which could result in a C02 emission reduction of up to 90%. [**NB: further tech info is listed below]
Alan McPherson, Chief Harbour Master for Forth Ports’ Scottish operations, said: “It is important that we invest in our marine fleet to deliver the best service for river users and at the same time, decarbonise our vessels using the very latest engine technology. The Rivers Forth and Tay are two of the largest and busiest waterways in the UK with thousands of vessels using the rivers each year, ranging from very large offshore drilling rigs in Dundee, to container vessels heading to Grangemouth and cruise liners sailing into both rivers. We look forward to receiving the new pilot boats next year.”
Forth Ports currently has 5 pilot boats and 11 tugs operating across the River Forth and Tay.

I am inserting some photos of the Amerigo Vespucci Italian Navy training ship.
Many details can be useful for static and dynamic modeling.
In any case it was a pleasant visit, I took advantage of the fact that it stopped at the port of Civitavecchia

Here is some information about the ship.

"The Amerigo Vespucci is a sailing ship of the Italian Navy, built in 1931 in Castellammare di Stabia (NA), as a training ship for the training of officer cadets of the normal roles of the Naval Academy of Livorno.

From 1946 to 1952 it was the only sailing training ship of the Italian Navy until the entry into service of the Ebe, a brigantine schooner purchased by the Navy in 1952 and which had been built in 1921. Starting in 1955 it was joined by another sailing ship purchased from France and renamed Palinuro. Currently the Amerigo Vespucci is the oldest ship of the Italian Navy still in service.
On the occasion of the 1960 Rome Olympics, the Amerigo Vespucci transported the Olympic flame by sea from Piraeus to Syracuse.
Some sources report an anecdote, which dates back to the meeting that took place in July 1962 in the Mediterranean with the US aircraft carrier USS Independence, according to which the latter would have flashed its light signal: "Who are you?", receiving in response: "Training ship Amerigo Vespucci, Italian Navy". The US ship would then have signaled: "You are the most beautiful ship in the world"
In 1992, among other things, it participated in the Columbiadi, a large regatta organized on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus.

It also participated in the Tall Ships' Race in 2000, the competition that compares the Tall Ships, the tall-masted sailing ships of the training ships from all over the world.
In six months, the Amerigo Vespucci traveled over 10,000 miles, arriving second, behind the German Gorch Fock.
The training ship also participated in The Tall Ships' Races 2007 Mediterranea.

In Ontario, Canada, we don't have a lot of spots to sail our models where there's water. They put up signs & now our favorite sailing area has a fountain & those dam geese have set up their home there also.

A group of 10 modellers joined in sailing our military craft to celebrate the victory in Europe 80th anniversary.

One of our club members built two dories that sailed in Spencer's pool in Burlington. The oars operated to propel the dory. Alex the Dory man is no longer with us . He had a tiny bottle of Skreech in the bow that someone walked away with. The lyrics describe Codfish Dan harpooning Halley's Comet, using the Big Dipper as a pot, and cooking fish on the sun—all while sailing through the cosmos in his golden dory. It’s classic Stompin’ Tom: full of Canadian pride, storytelling, and a catchy rhythm. Today's Question was about Dories, so I remember Alec's & his dory with fondness. The Moon-Man Newfie Stompin' Tom Conners.

A few of the Confederation Modellers members went to the Leander boat dock on Saturday, May 10, 2025, for test runs since the weather was great for sailing, and there were no weeds or green algae.

A long unedited video of the boats on Warminster lake taken from my HA Kits Thames slipper launch. The GoPro hero 9 has image stabilisation so some pretty boats to practice chasing and getting in the frame.

I have way to much time to waste raking up the leaves & bagging them but I am still working on some of the models I got & this time it's the Bluenose kit that had all the masts broken off . I started it while our model boat club was at the Caledonia wood show . I try my best to get people to be interested in model boat building while I'm repair the model. The sails are up & now for the rat lines & a little painting & a few touch up here & there!

I am continuing with that yard sale find the Puffer is done so on to the next . I'm not keen on static sailing ships but I can't pass up a project like a major repair of the 1765 USS Bonhomme Richard . She will have no sails but have all the rigging . We always have turkey for thanksgiving a day early so I have some time to today to play.

Went to the pool in Burlington Ontario to run my Sequin Tug that hadn't been in water since last year .It was a little cool but more club members showed up so took a few photos. Our club is holding a fun run Sept 7th 9am-noon Military Ships Merchant marine ships & support ships Hope weather will be nice Saturday .Just thought I'll try putting a little video on my Media post . My friend with the pirate ship was doing a test for leaks & it still is leaking .

As promised A few photos & some members models in Spencer's pool Burlington. Some of the boats shown are from other model clubs mostly Toronto modelers so I can't mention names of members boats because I don't know their names. Still lots of time for sailing & the puffer still leaks so I'll put stuffing box on a steeper up angle above water line. I just love fixing a problem with my model boats.

A "Misty March Morning" sets the scene for filming Dinghy Dan`s first trial sailing at the Pavilion Gardens Buxton.
Dans creator Graham Royle should be more than happy with the inaugural trials - ..... More to come !