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First of Class Pilot Boat for Teesport
01 Nov 2006
Portchester UK based VT Halmatic has delivered the first of its new 16m Camarc designed pilot boats to PD Ports Plc at Teesport. The new craft, to be named after the local tributary river, the ‘Greatham’, is one of two ordered by PD Ports for Teesport and Falmouth Harbour Commissioners.
The vessel design is based on Tessport’s existing 16m pilot boat, the ‘Coatham’, with PD Ports calling upon six years experience of successfully operating the vessel to input improvements and enhancements to the original design and specification. Following a competitive tender, PD Ports and Falmouth Harbour Commissioners both ordered identical craft from VT Halmatic.
Classed Lloyds +100A! SSC Mono Pilot HSC G3, the boats’ other critical measurements include a 4.64m beam and a fully loaded draught of 1.35m. Powered by twin Scania DI 16M EMS marine diesels rated at 525mhp, the vessels will each carry three crew and seven pilots at a maximum speed of 22.5 knots.
Andrew Ridley, the conservancy operations manager at PD Ports Teesport said, ‘The purchase of the two new VT Halmatic Camarc 16 Pilot Boats were an investment for the future and show that Port Authorities can cooperate in a truly national sense in the procurement of pilot boats.’
The Ports of Tees and Hartlepool provide lock-free access to over 6,000 vessel movements per year. PD Ports at Teesport is responsible for the navigation and conservancy of the river, covering 11 nautical miles from Tees Bay to the Tees Barrage. The new boat will join PD port’s existing fleet to provide 24/7 pilotage to vessels entering its ports.
Falmouth Harbour Commissioners’ new VT Halmatic Camarc 16 is due to be delivered this month.
MJ Information No: 22410
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