Six 17m Alupilots delivered from Docksta
LVB Stein, the last of six new pilot boats for Kiel pilots, was delivered from Dockstavarvet of Sweden on 19 December 2011.
The boats were ordered by the German Government through Fachstelle Maschinenwesen Nord in January 2010. The first unit was delivered in December 2010 and the whole series has now been completed according to contract and ahead of schedule.
The main dimensions are 16.8m LOA with a 5.2m beam. The boats are built in aluminium with classification by Germanischer Lloyd, including Ice Class E and self-righting capability.
Two Volvo Penta D16 main engines of 500 hp at 1,800 rpm each drive fixed pitch propellers through Twin Disc MGX-5145 gearboxes, giving a fully loaded speed of 21 knots.
A raised wheelhouse provides excellent all-round visibility for two crew and one pilot seated in Recaro chairs. Aft of the wheelhouse at deck level is the saloon cabin, with WC, crew mess and seating for an additional six pilots. The detailed lay-out has been designed in close cooperation with the pilots and coxswains. The entire deckhouse is resiliently mounted to ensure a noise level under 65 db(A) at 90 % MCR.
The heating system provides ample heating even in winter conditions, not only for the interior but also for external handrails and the boarding platforms.
The electrical system is based on 24 V DC for essential services supplied from two 140A generators on the main engines. The 400/230 V AC system is supplied by a 10 kW Fischer-Panda diesel generator or shore connection and serves five big heated windows, the air conditioning system and domestic services as well as back-up battery charging for the five battery banks. The boat is fitted with ample deck lighting, including a remote controlled 1,000W searchlight and four fixed 200W bow lights from Norselight.
The navigation and communication package is a system delivery from Furuno and comprises two 12 kW radars, two TECDIS plotter systems as well as GPS compass, dGPS receiver, autopilot, echosounder, AIS, wind data and camera systems.
In addition to the full GMDSS A1 installation, there are two extra VHF sets. The pilot workstation has access to one of the TECDIS systems and is also fitted with a pilot-plug and an internet connection.
The standard of detailed engineering reflects Docksta´s longstanding experience in pilot boat construction, with an emphasis on safety, fuel economy and long service life with low maintenance costs.
The boats are operated by Lotsbetreibsverein, Aussenstelle Kiel on behalf of Lotsenbrüderschaft Nord-Ostseekanal II / Kiel / Lübeck / Flensburg. They are each expected to operate some 2,500 hours per year and to have a service life of 25 years.
For further information, contact: Torbjörn Larsson, managing director, on Tel: +46 613 711601, Email: tl@dockstavarvet.se, Web: www.dockstavarvet.se
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