Metal Shark bites into the pilot boat market
DECEMBER 20, 2017 — Jeanerette, LA , headquartered shipbuilder Metal Shark has set its sights on the pilot boat market with a range of custom-configurable pilot offerings and two new pilot boats
DECEMBER 20, 2017 — Jeanerette, LA , headquartered shipbuilder Metal Shark has set its sights on the pilot boat market with a range of custom-configurable pilot offerings and two new pilot boats
AUGUST 2, 2017— When it comes to pilot boats, the partnership between naval architectural firm C. Raymond Hunt Associates, New Bedford, MA, and shipbuilder Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, A Duclos Company, Somerset, MA, has
JUNE 28, 2017 – Delta Launch Services, the operating company for the Associated Branch pilots on the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi, has ordered a new pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos
SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 — Vigor has delivered two, 19 m all-weather pilot boats to the Port of Duqm Company (PDC) in the Sultanate of Oman. The Port has been undergoing a major
JULY 14, 2016 — The U.K.’s Port of Milford Haven is continuing to investigate an incident occurred that occurred early Sunday morning, July 10, when its pilot vessel St Davids made hard
JUNE 24, 2016 — Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, Somerset, MA, reports that it has won an order from the Alabama Pilot, Inc., in Mobile, AL, for a Chesapeake Class pilot boat. Delivery
JANUARY 18, 2016—Maritime Partner AS, Alesund, Norway, has signed a contract with Buksér og Berging AS for the delivery of two 15m, 30-knot pilot boats, including an option for a further eight
The 52.7-ft, 28-knot pilot boat, designed by C. Raymond Hunt Associates, is powered by twin Volvo Penta D11 six-cylinder 503 hp diesel engines with IPS2 drives and Volvo Penta EVC electronic steering and control system.
Each of the IPS pods has two counter-rotating forward-facing props that pull the boat through the water rather than pushing it. The EVC control system and three-axis joystick will increase the boat’s overall maneuverability alongside a ship and when docking.
The system complies with EPA Tier 3 emission standards.
“We selected the Volvo Penta IPS2 for our next-generation Chesapeake-class boats to improve the performance and the arrangement of planing hulls like our pilot boats,” said Peter Duclos, president of Gladding-Hearn. “IPS2 provides what pilots have been asking for – higher speeds, lower fuel consumption and more comfort.” The boat is also fitted with an interceptor trim-control system supplied by Humphree.
“The combination of the Volvo Penta IPS and the Humphree interceptors gives the pilots higher speeds and improved comfort,” said Mr. Duclos. “Initial sea trials revealed a 25 percent improvement in fuel consumption over comparable Chesapeake-class vessels, as predicted.”
Last year, Volvo Penta and Gladding-Hearn teamed to produce the first commercial craft in North America to be powered by triple IPS drives and dynamic positioning for automatic hands-off station keeping. The 64-ft. Fort Ripley was delivered to Southeast Ocean Response Services in Charleston, S.C.
“Volvo Penta IPS is the perfect solution for modern pilot boats, consistently providing 20 percent faster speed, 30 percent lower fuel consumption, 15 percent faster acceleration and 50 percent lower noise and vibration levels when compared to a traditional shaft installation,” said Marcia Kull, vice president, marine sales, Volvo Penta of the Americas. “It is a true transformative technology that we believe will become the new standard in pilot boat propulsion moving forward.”
This year, Volvo Penta is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the IPS product. The first IPS was unveiled at the Miami International Boat Show in 2005. Since then, Volvo Penta has sold over 17,000 IPS units. Today, the Volvo Penta IPS comes in a range of ten models, from 350 to 1200 hp, in twin, triple or quadruple configurations.
JUNE 7, 2015— Cape Fear Pilots Association, Southport, N.C., recently accepted delivery of its second St. John’s Class pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. The Cape Fear pilot boat marked a
FEBRUARY 13, 2014 — Kvichak Marine, Seattle, WA, recently delivered two all-aluminum 36.6 ft crew/pilot boats to Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, based West Coast Launch, Ltd. West Coast Launch is a water