Third Nelson for La Coruna
The Port of La Coruna on Spain’s exposed North Atlantic coast, has recently invested in its third Seaward-built Nelson 40 pilot boat, following earlier purchases of a Nelson 40 in 1996 and a Nelson 35 in 2002.
Isle of Wight, UK-based Seaward build Nelson 29, 35, 40 and 42Mk II pilot boats and harbour launches alongside their range of Nelson motor yachts. Seaward 42 Mk II pilot boat deliveries have recently been made to Federicia Pilots (Denmark) and Tenerife, 35s to the Indian Ocean island of Reunion and the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic and 29s to Casablanca pilots, Morocco and to Crouch Harbour Authority in the UK.
When La Coruna pilots were considering their options for their latest new vessel, they contacted Seaward and shortly afterwards contracted the yard to build them a new Nelson 40. The new boat, named Practicos VII, was collected from the yard in June 2015 and she completed the trans-Biscay return trip to La Coruna on her own bottom, such is the confidence that the pilots have in this design and in the build quality and engineering of their new boat.
Practicos VII was built to Lloyds Register of Shipping Special Service Craft rules, complies with Spanish commercial boat regulations, features a resiliently mounted isolated wheelhouse with forward-raked screens and is powered by twin Volvo D7s, giving 22 knots. The onboard navigation equipment was provided by Raymarine and the communication equipment by ICOM. Seating for helm, crew and two pilots is provided by Cleeman Nautic Star suspension seats. The boat also features Ocean 3 foam elastomer fendering for extra protection during heavy-weather boarding operations.
Senior Pilot Jose Gamallo Ponte talks glowingly of his new acquisition stating “Our original Nelson 40 has provided us great service since 1996 and continues to do so. The exceptional sea-keeping qualities of this design have allowed us to safely operate in conditions which other boats would not have coped with. Our new Seaward Nelson 40 is living up to our high expectations and actually surpasses the original boat. Our thanks go to Seaward for building us this excellent vessel.“
By Jake Frith
Specification:
LOA 12.34m
Beam 3.58m
Draught 1.07m
Machinery 2 x Volvo D7s 195kw (265hp) @ 2,300rpm
Gearboxes ZF280A reduction ratio 2:1
Displacement – full load 12.024 tonnes
Fuel Capacity 1580 litres
Max Speed – full load 22 knots
