How it started

The SE «Delta – Lotsman» was established as the Port Pilot Service of the Dnipro–Bug Sea Port, on the base of aluminous plant. After the plant privatization, the Port Pilot Service became an independent enterprise. By the Order of the Ministry of transport and communication of Ukraine №29 of February 4, 1998, the SE «Delta – Lotsman» was created. At the end of 1998, the functions of pilotage to the ports of Nikolayev and Kherson were transferred to the Company, as well as the VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) functions in this area and two canals.

Development

In 2001, at the base of the Enterprise there was established the Sectoral Training Center for State Sea Pilots and VTS Operators (by the Order of the Ministry of Transport # 587, dated October 23, 2000) which is the only one in the sea states of the Eastern Europe and CIS. In 2002 the investment program on creation of the first Ukrainian regional system of vessel traffic service (VTS) in the sea area of Odessa, Nikolayev and Kherson regions was implemented.

Since October 10, 2003 the Regulations of naval ships and vessels navigation in the bays, in Sevastopol roads and on its approaches, approved by the Ministry of transport of Ukraine, came into force. Thus, the control over the navigation safety in the Black sea in the area of Sevastopol was officially transferred to the second regional system – the Sevastopol regional vessel traffic service that is subordinated to the SE "Delta - pilot". VTS Post "Ochakiv" and VTS Center "Striletskiy" were recognized to be the best industrial structures in Ukraine commissioned in 2002. According to the State program for improvement of the State System of Navigation Safety for 2002 - 2006, SE "Delta - Lotsman" takes an active part in developing of the Surface Picture Monitoring system both under ordinary and emergency conditions.

By the order of the Ministry of transport and communication of Ukraine, the SE «Delta – Lotsman» acts as a customer of the design and construction work of the Project on the DWF Danube – Black sea  through the Bystroe mouth.

Present situation

Today the SE «Delta – Lotsman» holds leading market position in Ukraine. During 2009, the Company repaired all specialized fleet units, ice class tugboat «Gaydamaka» was placed into operation after dock repair. After classification repairs the pilot boats «Gard», «Komsomolets Gutsal», «Capitan Belukha» provide pilotage at the ports of the Nikolayev region, in harbor waters of the Illichevsk Sea Trade port and the Yuzhny Sea Trade Port. In August two vessels came back to the Vilkovo port.  The pilot boat « Strinky» was modernized. After changing of propulsive complex, the vessel continued the pilotage on the deep-water fairway «Danube – Black Sea». Surveying vessel «SILVER» came back to Vilkovo after the classification repair in Nikolaev.  At the end of August there was completed the pilot boat «LK-121» dock repair.  The vessel provides pilotage in the Kerch Strait area. After the capital repair, the pilot boat «Aldeberen» navigates in the harbor water of the Nikolayev region ports. In May the VTS Center Yuzhniy started its operation.  In 2009 there was completed the construction of the Radio-technical communications center (RTCC)«Eni-Kale». It will maintain the continuous USB-communication between vessels in the Azov Sea.  Communication tower is 26 m. height. Automated Identification System (AIS) is prepared. The Center is provided with continuous power-supply, meets the requirements of modern ventilation, alarm system and fire safety. 5 powerful USB stations support communication with the vessels. The RTCC will enable to the navigation safety, and rescue of the human lives in the Kerch Strait.

The Ministry of transport and communication of Ukraine issued the Orded # 445 «On transference of the Process Building of the Crimean Directorate of the SE «Ukrposhta» to the SE «Delta – Lotsman». On Dec. 16th, the classification society – the Ukraine Navigation Registry completed the inspection surveillance and certified that the Quality management system at the enterprise is stable and constantly being upgraded.

The SE «Deta – Lotsman» has brought 25,5 % of incomes to the consolidated budget of the city of Nikolayev. This is more than 30 % of total amount of the taxes received from all the enterprises and organizations of Nikolayev.

Since 2009 the SE «Delta – Lotsman» has been holding the leading positions on the amount of paid taxes among the large enterprises of Nikolayev.