Goodchild carries good news to Seawork
The new 42’ pilot boat for Calais/Boulogne is seen under build at Goodchild Marine Services last month.
Goodchild Marine Services Ltd of Norfolk, England has won a £1.7m contract with Estuary Services Ltd to build two ORC 171.P 17m pilot launches to work in the River Thames estuary and offshore area.
To be named Estuary Elan and Estuary Elite, these modern craft are well proven worldwide with over 50 boats built in different configurations to a design by French naval architects Pantocarene. These newbuilds are however the first of this design to be built by a British builder and to work in the UK.
The modern hull design has a double chine with a forward ‘beak’ that gives exceptional performance in head seas, reducing slamming and vertical accelerations. The newbuilds will replace existing boats with craft of greater range, which will be faster and more seaworthy as the Thames pilotage area has been extended to include the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm. The first boat is due for delivery by the end of next year.
Extensive research in Europe over a number of years has perfected the hull design to also provide excellent course keeping with little tendency to broach, even in large following sea conditions. Crew comfort is paramount, with a novel acoustically separate wheelhouse fitted on cushioned feet, suspension seating for 8 and air conditioned climate control.
Dimensions are 17.58m LOA with a 5.39m beam and 1.44 m draft. The craft will displace 24.5 tons and have over 2,000 litres of fuel capacity for the twin 600 hp Scania engines, which will drive five bladed Hyperform propellers through Twin Disc QuickShift gearboxes. This combination will give a speed of 26 knots fully loaded and the hull shape is designed to be very economical at cruising speeds.
Furuno navigation electronics, Sailor VHF sets and a Sea Marshall MOB system will complete these professional pilot launches, built to operate up to 3,000 hours per year.
Goodchild Marine Services is well known within the industry for building high quality pilot boats and workboats. The yard is currently building a pilot boat for Calais/Boulogne which is due for delivery in October. This 42’ craft will be powered by twin Iveco engines rated 368kW each.
The versatile yard is also fully refitting another RNLI Tyne class lifeboat, having just completed repairs on the Lowestoft lifeboat. Pilot boats from Milford Haven and Lowestoft have recently been repaired and the ABP relief pilot boat is currently undergoing stern gear replacement.
Goodchild Marine Services is also fitting out two 21m and two 18m aluminium wind farm catamarans in partnership with Richards Drydock and Engineering of Great Yarmouth. The first of the 21m boats is expected on the floating pontoon at Seawork 2010 and Goodchild will be there too, on Stand 173.
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