New pilot boat for Danish Port of Roenne

The vessel was ordered in 2009, when port director Hans Kumner commissioned a pilot boat built to the port’s specific requirements and complying fully with Danish Maritime Authority standards.

Ursula is powered by twin Volvo D12 500hp engines and Twin Disc 5114 gearboxes through 26″ five blade propellers and achieved 24 knots at a 16,150 kg (lightship) displacement during initial sea trials, proving quiet and refined at maximum speed.

Ursula’s dark blue hull and blue stripe in the port’s colours compliments its golden superstructure to produce a striking vessel. It is fitted with Safehaven’s proven sacrificial fender system which reduces boarding impacts in rough weather and protects the vessel’s fendering which is comprised of a 150mm by 150mm main gunwale fender, 120mm by 120mm lower fender and multiple 100mm by 100mm diagonals along the vessel’s sides.

The interior is fitted out to a high standard, featuring four CAB 300 series pilot seats and a central helm position, which is fully adjustable for reach, height and wheel angle as in a well equipped car. This provides an ergonomically comfortable steering position for the helmsman. The central orientation also gives excellent all round visibility and balanced control of the vessel when boarding to port or starboard. Multiple high level windows provide the helmsman with a panoramic view of what is happening around him.

Ursula’s interior is fully lined with grey sidelining, white headlining and walnut effect Formica laminates for ease of maintenance and durability. Each pilot seat is mounted on a removable GRP pedestal with storage lockers incorporated within. Multiple vertical hand holds provide safe passage through the cabin in rough weather. The cabin layout, companionway doors and hatches all comply with DMA regulations, providing a clear width of 600mm

Ursula features a refinement and further development of Safehavens MOB recovery platform, featuring a recovery basket raised to deck level and lowered 400mm below the waterline by a double pulley system and self-tailing winch. The recovery basket folds back against the transom when not in use. The system has been refined by incorporating an aft helm position with full repeat engine and steering controls that can be used during MOB recovery, allowing the helmsman complete control of the vessel in such circumstances.

The casualty is further protected whilst in the water by incorporation of a propeller guard that extends below the waterline. Also beneficial is the exhausts exiting at the transom quarters, dispersing exhaust gasses into the vessels wake.

The vessel was fully sea trailed in extreme conditions, with 48 knot wind speeds and 5m seas, conditions which further enhance the reputation of the Interceptor series for exceptional seakeeping. Safehaven currently has pilot vessels under construction for the Port of Liverpool in the UK and another authority in Malta.