Safety first in latest Safehaven launch
Safehaven Marine has launched an Interceptor 48 self-righting, all-weather pilot boat, built in its busy facilities at Cork in Ireland.
The vessel is fitted with Volvo D13 500hp (rating 1, heavy duty continuous) engines which provide it with an operational speed of 25 knots light and 24 knots fully loaded. Fitted out to Safehaven’s usual high standards, seating is provided for two crew and four to five pilots on CAB 500 series suspension seats with full harnesses in the main cabin.
The helm position is driver focused, supremely comfortable and ergonomically designed to provide the utmost control, visibility and functionality for the helmsman. Being centrally positioned, it allows equal control when coming alongside to both port and starboard.
The interior design also features a large forward cabin and accommodation area featuring a full galley, dinette seating for up to six persons, a large berth, and a separate heads compartment. A dedicated electrical compartment is also positioned here, as is access to the engine compartment via a watertight bulkhead door.
Internal furnishings provide a warm, comfortable environment. Both cabins are fully lined with white vinyl headlining and dark grey sidelining. A teak and holy sole throughout gives a luxurious finish as well as being very durable. Walnut patterned Formica faced panelling and teak trimming further enhances the internal environment.
Deck safety is provided by a full length, black twine wrapped for extra grip, inboard safety rail augmented with a Hadrian safety rail. Bow railing and pilot boarding grap rails at the boarding area as well as an aft cockpit enclosure railing, fitted with closable gates, provides for a high level of crew safety.
MOB recovery is via a new 2014 version of Safehaven’s proven transom mounted recovery platform, featuring a new low level design to improve rearward visibility and incorporating a standard stern gear protector for casualty safety during recovery operations.
Fendering comprises a 150mm by150mm, 30mm wall thickness, main fender. A large lower fender and multiple diagonal fender, together with Safehaven’s unique sacrificial shoulder fender, means the vessel is fully protected when undertaking boarding rescues offshore in bad weather.
A 3.0kW, 240V generator supplies AC throughout the vessel and there is provision for being fitted with air conditioning for operations in hot climates. The vessel is equipped with a very comprehensive navigation and radio communications package, based on Garmin commercial range of 19″ displays, featuring HD radar, GPS plotter, sonar, and Sailor DCS VHF radios. Four zone CCTV cameras are fitted to monitor engine room, aft view, forward view and the cabin.
The vessel is self-righting, capable of recovering from a 180° roll-over due to the buoyancy of the cabin. Multiple special features are incorporated to maintain watertight integrity and crew safety in the event of capsize in heavy seas.
The vessel’s exceptional seakeeping was fully proven during a series of demonstrations in the exceptionally stormy weather experienced in Ireland this winter. The vessel was trialed in hurricane force winds over 100mph and 10m waves, throughout which it inspired great confidence in all aboard. The hull has been built under survey to Bureau Veritas.
