New pilot vessel for Briggs Marine

In 2022 when Briggs Marine took delivery of another ORC-121 pilot launch, bringing the number of ORC-design vessels in its fleet to six, the Burntisland-based company said demand for such vessels was outstripping supply. That provision is now enhanced following the arrival of Forth Navigator, which adds another of the class to its portfolio with the total number of assets in its diverse fleet standing at 30 vessels.

Port support services are part of Briggs Marine’s activities, the company reporting the transfer of 6,984 pilots and the carrying out of 7,719 ship mooring operations in 2023.

This latest addition is road transportable, offering rapid mobilisation to anywhere in the country, and will be available for short or long-term charter for a range of activities including pilot boat or harbour patrol duties.

Goodchild Marine is now well established with production of ORC series pilot vessels, a design from naval architect Pantocarene Limited. The Burgh Castle, Great Yarmouth-based boatbuilder has four ORC variants in its catalogue ranging from 12m to 17m in length, the ORC-121 the smallest in the range.

Steven Pierce, of boatbuilder Goodchild Marine, said: “One of the main benefits to this vessel is that the semi displacement hull design of the ORC is about 40% more fuel efficient than counterparts of similar size, helping to reduce emissions. In addition, the road transportability of the 12m pilot vessel adds another dimension of flexibility, allowing it to reach various locations swiftly.”

Forth Navigator in detail

Looking in detail at Forth Navigator’s specification, the vessel meets MCA Category 3 (30 miles from a safe haven) certification and has a length overall of 12.056m and beam overall 4.73m with a draught (98% conditions) of 1.379m dependant of loadings. Constructed of GRP, it has an approximate maximum displacement of 14.3t and is subdivided by four watertight bulkheads with a maximum capacity of six persons.

Power is provided by two Volvo Penta D8, Tier III compliant main engines, each developing 450hp at 2,700rpm and connected to Twin Disc MGX-5126A 2.5:1 reduction gearboxes with propulsion in turn via ISO 8845 NAB 27×37 five-bladed, fixed-pitch propellers.

Fuel capacity is 1,436 litres and total power is stated as 882kW, delivering a service speed of approximately 21kn and maximum speed 26kn.

Goodchild Marine was founded in 1978, the company designing, building, repairing and refitting vessels in the commercial and leisure sectors. As well as the ORC series (which are in operation as far afield as Australia), which includes hybrid versions, Goodchild offers Halmatic Nelson pilot boats and boats from the AquaBell series, which meet MCA Category 2 Workboat Code rules for operation up to 60 miles offshore. These are popular as angling boats and workboats as well as harbour, pilot and police launches.

Goodchild’s refit and repair activities include work for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, for whom it has been a nominated refit and repair yard since the mid-1990s.