YARIMCA GUIDANCE STATION
With each passing year, world trade is growing, and a large portion of the exchange of goods between countries is carried out via sea routes, using ships. The increasing tonnage of goods transported by ships, combined with technological advancements, has led to the construction of larger vessels in order to carry more cargo in a single trip. As a result, the tonnage of goods transported by a ship has steadily increased, and the types and quantities of hazardous materials carried have also risen. Due to the larger number and size of ships, the maneuvering areas for vessels, especially in narrow waters such as straits, bay entrances, ports, and inland areas, have relatively narrowed. The narrowing of maneuvering areas, caused by the increasing size of ships, has increased the risk and likelihood of accidents. Furthermore, in the event of a ship accident, larger ships carrying more cargo and hazardous materials, due to their increased size, cause significant damage to the natural marine, land, and air environments, as well as to human life, health, and nearby coastlines, ports, docks, bridges, factories, and other facilities.
Studies of maritime accidents worldwide, as reflected in the IMO’s documents, show that around 85% of these incidents are caused by human error. The primary factor contributing to human error is the lack of “training” and “experience.” In “narrow waters” suitable for navigation and in port areas where maneuvers like anchoring, docking, and departure take place, the most important factor that nearly eliminates human error and minimizes accidents is the presence of “pilot captains.” This is because pilot captains, who are fundamentally ship captains themselves, are specifically “trained” for a particular maritime area and possess “high experience” due to their daily tasks in navigating and maneuvering within that area. By eliminating the two most critical factors in maritime accidents—”lack of training” and “lack of experience”—pilot captains play a key role in preventing accidents and ensuring safety.
Captains of ships approaching narrow waters such as a port, bay, or strait always experience stress. This stress is alleviated and replaced with comfort and confidence when the pilot boat appears from a distance, approaches the ship’s side, and delivers the pilot captain to the vessel. However, behind the scenes of this process, where a ship either takes on or discharges a pilot captain, there is meticulous planning, timing, work organization, discipline, and coordination—many aspects of which the general public is unaware. In other words, for a ship to timely take on or discharge a pilot, a well-planned, well-timed, organized, and disciplined work and coordination system is essential. The success of such an operation relies on a guidance station equipped with modern tools and trained personnel to operate them.
As you know, ships sail day and night, without regard for holidays or festivities. Accordingly, guidance services are provided 24 hours a day, every day, unless there are extraordinary or exceptional situations such as adverse weather and sea conditions, accidents, or maritime construction activities that would hinder the provision of these services. For this reason, to meet the service demands, sufficient numbers of pilot captains are always on standby at the guidance stations during their shifts. After completing a guidance service, a pilot captain returns to the guidance station and rests until the next service. Therefore, the guidance stations must be organized to meet the pilot captains’ essential needs—such as rest, sleep, food, and drinks—24 hours a day.
As can be understood from the above, a guidance station has essentially two main duties: First, to “organize and execute the guidance services,” and second, to accommodate the pilot captains 24/7 and meet all their essential needs. The Yarımca Guidance Station, where we are located, was primarily built to fulfill these two main tasks. However, in addition to these two core responsibilities, the Yarımca Guidance Station has also been constructed and equipped with features of a smart and green building to facilitate other activities such as training, social events, and meetings.
YARIMCA GUIDANCE STATION FLOOR LAYOUT DETAILS
Third Floor:
The building has three floors if we consider the ground floor as the first level. The third floor covers 1,530 m² and houses the Operations Center in the southwest corner. There is a secretary section separated by a glass partition behind the Operations Center. Adjacent to the Operations Center, there is a glass-partitioned Chief Pilot Captain’s Office and, next to it, a Chart Room. In the southeast corner of the third floor, there is a lounge area, and in other sections, cabins are provided for the pilot captains and radio operators. These cabins include a shower, toilet, bedroom, desk, wardrobe, TV, and mini-fridge. Additionally, there are mechanical rooms for electrical and air-conditioning systems, as well as two service rooms on this floor.
One of the two main tasks that the guidance stations must perform is the “organization and execution of the guidance services,” which is managed from the Operations Center. The radio operator in the Operations Center uses the phone, fax, VHF, electronic maps, wind and weather indicators, and computers at their console to manage all the operations and organization related to the pilot boarding and disembarking process. The radio operator can make more realistic decisions as they have a view of the outside weather and sea conditions from their console. The radio operator in the Operations Center plays a crucial role in ensuring that guidance and towing services are provided on time and regularly.
Using all the tools and experience available in the Operations Center, the radio operator organizes the services in close contact with the Chief Pilot Captain. The radio operator inputs and tracks ship-related data in the computer, receives service requests, and maintains continuous communication with port facilities, agents, and ships. They ensure that the pilot, land vehicle, pilot boat, tugboats, and mooring boats are prepared and ready to meet in the service area. When necessary, they provide the Port Director, pilot captain, ship, port authorities, and agents with the required information. When multiple guidance services are provided simultaneously, it is not difficult to imagine that the Operations Center operates like a beehive.
Second Floor:
The second floor, covering 1,369 m², is located on the east and west sides of the entrance courtyard. This floor contains pilot captain cabins similar to those on the third floor. The conference room is also located on this floor, equipped with lighting, sound systems, and a simultaneous translation room. Additionally, there are mechanical rooms for electrical and air-conditioning systems, as well as two service rooms.
First Floor (Entrance / Ground Floor):
The ground floor covers 1,725 m² and contains the following areas: “Entrance Hall,” “Reception Desk,” “Lobby,” “Dining Hall” with seating for 65 people, “Rest Lounge,” modern “Kitchen,” “Auxiliary Staff Dining and Rest Area,” “Auxiliary Staff Changing Room and Showers,” a 200-seat “Conference Hall,” “Management Meeting Room and Library,” “Internet Room,” and a 50-person capacity “Seminar Room.”
Basement:
The basement spans 2,340 m² and includes the following:
A 30-car capacity “Parking Lot”
“Archive”
“Laundry and Ironing Room”
“Boiler Room” with a Boiler, Pump, Hydrophore, 60-ton Water Tank, Water Treatment System, and Ventilation & Air Conditioning System
“Vacuum Cleaner Room”
“Electrical Panel Room”
A “Pantry” with a material lift to the kitchen
A “Car Washing Section”
On the exterior of the basement, there are the “Chiller Group,” “Generator,” and a “90-ton Rainwater Collection Tank.”
OTHER FEATURES OF YARIMCA GUIDANCE STATION
The building features both “Smart Building” and “Green Building” qualities. Access to the building and its sections is controlled by an authorized “card system.” Similar to hotels, when the cards are placed in the slots in the cabins, the electrical and climate control systems are activated. All heating, cooling, ventilation, and electrical systems operate according to the values provided by the building automation system, which can be monitored through computer screens.
The internal and external air adjustments are automatically regulated, minimizing unnecessary fuel consumption and ensuring energy savings. The temperature values in the rooms are controlled via automatic thermostats, with adjustments made using buttons on the walls. The indoor air quality is supported by fresh air brought from the outside and conditioned accordingly.
The building has been insulated externally using the “wrapping” method, and aluminum windows with heat barriers are used in the frames. The windows feature “externally anti-reflective colored and tempered glass, with low and high heat barrier triple-glazed glass” on the inside.
To protect against power outages, computers and other electronic systems are backed by an instantaneous UPS system, and a generator kicks in within seconds to power the entire building. LED technology has been used for all lighting in the building, resulting in a 30-40% reduction in lighting costs.
Solar panels installed on the roof will provide a significant portion of the building’s hot water needs by generating solar energy. Additionally, solar panels installed on the roof will generate 15 kW of electricity, which will be used in the building. If efficient, this capacity may be increased in the future. The rainwater tank will be used for garden irrigation, car washing, and similar purposes to ensure water conservation. With the “Smart Building” and “Green Building” features we have listed above, the building conserves water, fuel, and electricity, which reduces the carbon emissions to nature, making it an environmentally friendly building.
Thanks to the central vacuum cleaner system, the entire building, including cabins, corridors, and other spaces, can be easily and quietly cleaned by connecting vacuum hoses and other equipment to the cover slots installed near the walls and flooring. This operation, powered by the air suction strength from the equipment in the “vacuum cleaner room” located in the basement, eliminates the noise typically produced by regular vacuum cleaners.
The entire building and its garden are equipped with CCTV security cameras that provide 24-hour surveillance and recording, including night vision. Additionally, the entire building is equipped with a fire alarm system, and both the cameras and fire alarm system are monitored from the Operations Center.
A special tube system operating with compressed air has been installed between the Operations Center and the Ground Floor. This system allows the radio operator in the Operations Center to send a “Information Card” to the pilot captain going on duty, and the returning pilot captain to send a “Bill” related to the service they provided, through the same system. This method prevents unnecessary trips to the Operations Center by pilot captains and helps avoid distractions and fatigue for the radio operator during communication.
With the features summarized above, the Yarımca Guidance Station has begun operating as one of the most modern, smartest, and greenest buildings in the world. I hope it brings success and pride to all of us and our country.
