Safehaven Marine launch the interceptor 60 pilot ‘Ederra 8’ for the MVD Pilots Association, Montevideo, Uruguay.

Safehaven Marine have launched ‘Ederra 8’, she’s an 18m Interceptor 60 pilot, built for the MVD Pilots Association in Montevideo, Uruguay.

This is the third pilot boat we’ve built for their pilots, following ‘Ederra 6 and 7’, both Interceptor 48’s we delivered in 2022, which have worked very well for the pilots over the last several years. Overall she will be the 4th pilot boat we supplied to Montevideo including ‘Belgrano’ in 2020.

‘Ederra 8’ is also the fastest pilot boat we’ve built by some margin, her Volvo D16 750hp @ 1900rpm engines providing her with an operational speed over 30kts. She is also extremely economical for such a large 18m pilot boat, using just 168 litres per hour at 24 knots which is class leading economy for an 18m pilot craft.

Ederra 8 is fully self-righting capable of recovering if capsized by a large breaking sea. She is fitted with Ocean 3’s fendering system for impact protection when coming alongside in heavy seas, being modular, retained by straps it allows easy repayment of fender sections. Her fully air conditioned cabin is cooled by two Dometic 27,000btu air- conditioning units powered by a Westerbeeke 10.5kw generator. ‘Ederra 8’ is capable of carrying 12 pilots and offers full live aboard accommodation in her large forward accommodation area which features a full galley, a seating dinette and table, two bunk berths, a separate heads compartment, storage room and a large dedicated electrical compartment.

Ederra 8 features a central helm position fitted with a comprehensive array of navigation and communication equipment, and provides the helmsman with excellent visibility and control of the vessel when undertaking pilot boarding’s.

A pilot boarding ladder is custom designed and manufactured by Safehaven in house, featuring a sliding platform that can be positioned in increments out to port or starboard depending on the sea state and ships side arrangement allowing high level boarding onto ships for the pilot. Pilot safety is covered by a MOB recovery platform on the transom capable of recovering an unconscious pilot from the water.

Volvo D16 750hp engines installed in her spacious engine room with good access to all service components and machinery.

‘Ederra 8’ becomes the 68th pilot vessel Safehaven Marine have delivered globally and is the fourth Pilot 60 design launched.