Kolkata: Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority (SMPA) achieved its first night-time pilotage at the upper reaches on Wednesday night. Experienced pilots navigated container vessel Sinar Pangalam Susu on her inward voyage through the narrow channel of Kolkata Dock System during hours of darkness, marking the first such achievement in the port’s 155-year history.“SMPA achieved a historic milestone by breaking the long-standing myth of no pilotage at the upper reaches during hours of darkness,” SMPA chairman Rathendra Raman said on Thursday. The upper reaches of the river stretch from Diamond Harbour to Kolkata. “Due to the exemplary coordination between various departments, our pilots were able to safely steer the vessel,” Raman added.The vessel, with a length overall (LOA) of 128m and a draught of 6.1m, completed the transit under challenging navigational conditions. Last year, SMPA had installed more than 100 lights on the river and the shore between Diamond Harbour and Kolkata, covering 60km on the Hooghly as part of its night navigation system.Night-time pilotage and night navigation differ primarily in responsibility and local expertise. Only licensed pilots can manoeuvre ships in and out of berths at night, managing risks like reduced visibility and unlit smaller vessels. While night navigation is generally controlled by the captain, night piloting in these narrow channels is considered a significantly more challenging feat by Kolkata Port officials.
