Maritime Journal has consistently reported on the introduction of new pilot boats and those reports have plotted the development of a wide range of vessels of increasing power and sophistication. Over twenty years the strong predominance of the GRP hull been diluted to some extent by the successful introduction of new designs in aluminium and steel. Pilotage Authorities concerned with the safe and reliable transportation of pilots, often in harsh environmental conditions, are now being offered a wider range of options than ever before.

The production of steel workboats is a subject close to the hearts of many Maritime Journal readers. A massive increase in the use of pontoon style multipurpose work vessels, tug workboats, line handling boats and tugs has encouraged a number of smaller yards to enter the market. Specialist shipyards such as Damen Shipyards, based in Gorinchem and Hardinxveld have featured prominently since the very formation of the magazine and many of the standard, series built products have appeared in its pages. One example is the Damen Shoalbuster, now widely used by operators in the dredging and marine construction industries. During the past decade we have seen this vessel evolve into a fully fledged shallow draft tug capable of deep sea operation, meeting all the requirements of ‘Unrestricted Service’. The Dutch shipyard of Kooiman at Zwijndrect has also emerged as a major contender in the specialist tug and workboat sector.

Among the few surviving UK yards, Hepworth Shipbuilders at Paull on Humberside has often featured in vessel launch features over the years and remains the preferred builder for the Holyhead Towing Company Ltd. A whole succession of tug workboats has been purpose built, with each design developed jointly between the owners technical staff and Hepworth’s naval architects. MacDuff Ship Design and its associates are working hard to achieve a greater market share in the tug/workboat market and recently won the Seawork Innovation Award.

Constructional techniques using computer aided cutting, working in conjunction with computer based design systems such as ‘Ship Constructor’, are now commonplace. Computer aided cutting has advanced enormously during the period under review and the accuracy of ‘kits of parts’, cut by specialist companies or in-house systems, is vastly improved.

Much the same can be said of aluminium alloy boat building. In the early days of aluminium construction it was often regarded as a difficult medium to work with and the results were variable. The progress made by some companies over two decades is spectacular. Mustang Marine is just one example. Maritime Journal first visited the company over ten years ago, just after it relocated to its present site in Pembroke Dock. Since then Mustang has developed an impressive facility. Building in steel and aluminium, it has a number of established products including ‘state of the art’ pilot cutters, for a worldwide market.

Marine journalist and photographer Jack Gaston is Maritime Journal's Tugs & Towage corresponent.