Falmouth Harbour Showcases State-of-the-Art Pilot Boat at Seawork 2026
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June 3rd
Falmouth Harbour’s state-of-the-art pilot boat Atlantic servicing cruise ship AIDAluna. The vessel runs on greener Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel – used across the harbour’s entire workboat fleet. Photo – Miles Carden/Falmouth Harbour
Falmouth Harbour’s cleaner, greener £1.6 million flagship pilot boat Atlantic will be steaming towards Southampton on Monday for display at Seawork -Europe’s largest on-water commercial marine exhibition running from June 9th – 11th.
Atlantic will be showcasing the vital role pilot boats play in supporting the UK’s maritime economy and highlighting the harbour’s commitment to innovation, safety and sustainability, as part of a collaboration with Holyhead Marine.
The state-of-the-art vessel, which like the whole Falmouth Harbour workboat fleet runs on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), will join more than 70 commercial vessels on show at Seawork, attended by around 7,800 maritime professionals from over 60 countries. The event provides an ideal platform to showcase Falmouth’s capabilities as one of the UK’s premier deep-water ports and demonstrate the high-quality offering by commercial vessel builder Holyhead Marine.
Delivered in 2024, Atlantic represents a significant investment in the future of pilotage services at one of the UK’s most strategically important deep-water ports. Falmouth Harbour’s Pilot vessels and their crews operate in all conditions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and complete more than 1,000 boardings and landings per year.
In tandem with her sister ship Arrow, Atlantic transfers marine pilots to and from ships entering and leaving Falmouth, ensuring the safe navigation of vessels carrying cargo, fuel, cruise passengers, defence and other critical supplies.
As an island nation, around 95% of UK trade by volume moves by sea. Behind every safe port call lies a network of highly skilled maritime professionals, with pilotage playing a crucial role in keeping vessels, crews, ports and the marine environment safe.
Camarc-designed Atlantic delivers exceptional performance, reliability and crew welfare whilst minimising environmental impact. The vessel’s operation on HVO reduces lifecycle carbon emissions compared with conventional marine diesel. Advanced hull design and modern propulsion systems improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, while the vessel’s construction incorporates modern materials and engineering techniques that maximise operational life and minimise maintenance requirements.
Falmouth Harbour CEO Miles Carden says, “Atlantic demonstrates that ports can invest in world-class maritime infrastructure whilst also embracing sustainability – and her appearance at Seawork will provide a unique chance to see the latest offering from one of the UK’s premier commercial vessel builders.
“Pilot boats are often unseen by the public, but they are an essential part of the UK’s supply chain, supporting everything from international trade and energy security to cruise tourism and defence operations.
“Falmouth has some of the deepest natural waters in Western Europe, exceptional shelter and a highly experienced pilotage service. Atlantic helps us maintain those standards whilst reducing our environmental footprint and showcasing the innovation that exists within the UK maritime sector.”
“We are incredibly proud to see Atlantic representing both Falmouth Harbour and UK boatbuilding at Seawork,” says Holyhead Marine Project Manager Dan Firth.
“Built in North Wales and designed specifically for the demands of pilotage operations in Cornwall, Atlantic combines modern hull design, operational efficiency and exceptional crew welfare.
“The vessel reflects our commitment to high quality vessel build and the broader strength of British maritime engineering – and will play a vital role in supporting safe shipping movements, trade and economic activity for many years to come.”
Falmouth Harbour provides pilotage services across one of the largest natural harbours in the world, supporting a diverse range of commercial shipping, cruise vessels, tankers, offshore support vessels, defence traffic and marine renewables activity.
Visitors to Seawork will have the opportunity to tour Atlantic and meet members of the Falmouth Harbour team to discuss pilotage operations, commercial shipping, maritime sustainability, port infrastructure and the opportunities emerging across the UK’s marine sector.
Falmouth Harbour continues to invest in modern, resilient maritime infrastructure to ensure the port remains a key gateway for trade, tourism and marine innovation, supporting economic growth whilst protecting the unique marine environment of Cornwall.
