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Irish Pilot Boat Debuts at Seawork
01 Mar 2006
In response to an international tender for their new pilot boat, Ireland's Port of Cork has chosen an Interceptor 42 from Safehaven Marine to replace their current Halmatic 44. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in May and will be seen on the floating pontoon at Seawork 2006 in June.
The Port of Cork carried out extensive trials and evaluation of an Interceptor 42 prior to purchase and its performance, competitive price, and excellent seakeeping were winningly impressive. The trials included a pilot boarding simulation in which Port of Cork coxswains brought the Interceptor up to a variety of ships at speeds up to 17 knots to assess the hydrodynamic interaction whilst alongside and when holding station a few metres away. They found no negative tendencies whatsoever and were particularly impressed with how the Interceptor came off and away from other ships, with a quarter of a turn on the helm allowing the deep 'V' hull to create a wedge of water which pushed the smaller vessel comfortably away.
The entrance to Cork Harbour can be challenging even for experienced coxswains in gale force conditions against an ebb tide. In such conditions, they must have the utmost confidence in their craft's abilities. So further trials were undertaken in gale force conditions and whether coming alongside or running at 28 knots in following and quartering seas, the directional stability could not be faulted. The ride in head seas was found to be soft and very dry, with little spray coming aboard to impair visibility in close quarters conditions when boarding.
The design for Cork's Interceptor 42 Pilot Boat is based on the proven Interceptor 42 hull while taking on an all new superstructure featuring forward sloping windows and several high level skylights for maximum visibility whilst boarding.
There is a wide walkway up the side of the superstructure and a clear expanse forward for boarding.
Engine room ventilation will be aft on the back of the superstructure, away from airborne spray.
Rounded transom quarters will allow fendering to be wrapped around for maximum durability.
An MOB recovery basket will be stored in a recess in the transom, ready for rapid deployment.
Traditional 6in fendering and diagonals supplemented with tyres on the shoulders will cushion alongside impacts. Construction will be exceptionally strong, the transverse frames a massive 150mm by 150mm with a shell laminate of 10,000gm 2. The boat will provide seating for up to six pilots whilst the central helm position will allow boarding to be taken from port or starboard with equal safety and control. Twin D12 Volvo engines rated at 480hp will give an operating speed of 26 knots.
The Port of Cork's new pilot boat will be the first built at Safehaven Marines' new 5,500ft 2factory which has been purpose built at Little Island, Cork.
MJ Information No: 21626
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