iXblue builds a second pilot vessel for French Port of Toulon
French shipyard iXblue has delivered a second pilot vessel for the Port of Toulon built as a robust composite construction specially tailored for easy maintenance and servicing.
The vessel, named Mejean, will join the first pilot boat previously delivered to the Port of Toulon by iXblue six years ago.
“The teams in La Ciotat listened carefully to our needs and were able to design a vessel that perfectly matches our requirements,” said Nicolas Marçais, pilot and equipment manager of the pilot station.
Tailor made
With an overall length of 11.95 metres and a draft of 0.9 metres, the vessel can reach speeds exceeding 30 knots (23 knot in cruising speed) and accommodate five passengers and a pilot boat skipper.
The hull of the craft, based on the drawings of naval architect Gilles Vaton, allows for excellent responsiveness with good seagoing characteristics, even at high speeds in heavy seas.
Equipped with two Volvo Penta IPS engines to ensure better manoeuvrability of the vessel, it offers improved speed performance for the same power output.
Crew comfort was also a central focus of the pilot boat’s overall design with a bridge and interior layout designed to offer the crew maximum comfort.
“Mejean has already recorded 200 hours at sea,” said Mr Marçais.
“The size-to-weight ratio is good and because weight distribution has been carefully optimised, the launch behaves really well in head seas and is able to operate with an even keel. This is one of its big strengths. It’s perfectly adapted to the meteorological conditions we encounter.”
The latest pilot boat delivered to the Port of Toulon is part of the growing number of vessels supplied to the pilot market by iXblue shipyard.
By Anne-Marie Causer
