Press release by Canaveral Pilots Association
Canaveral Pilots Association (Canaveral Pilots) has partnered with naval architecture firms Glosten and Ray Hunt Design (Ray Hunt) on a pilot/demonstration project for the design, construction, and operation of an electric pilot boat. The boat will feature a battery-electric propulsion system with an emergency 'get home' diesel engine. Once in service, it will serve as one of two primary boats for supporting pilotage operations in Port Canaveral.
During the feasibility-level engineering, the team established that a Ray Hunt hull form outfitted with a Glosten-designed battery propulsion system will achieve the speed and operating range required to support normal pilotage operations in Port Canaveral. "We are happy with how this is taking shape," said Morgan Fanberg, President of Glosten. "Ray Hunt brings a wealth of knowledge on planing hulls and pilot vessels, specifically. Combining that with our own experience in electric propulsion systems, we hope to provide an excellent working solution for Canaveral Pilots." Specific design details remain confidential at this stage, but the minimum performance criteria established by Port Canaveral included a cruising speed of 18 knots and an operating range (on battery propulsion only) of 24 nautical miles.
Currently, there are no pilot boats operating in the US with hybrid or fully electric propulsion systems. "The technology isn't necessarily new. The challenge is managing total weight in relation to the hull form and the required operating profile," says Winn Willard, President of Ray Hunt. "Because we are seeing a growing interest in such vessels, it made sense to partner with Glosten to work through those technical challenges."
With feasibility-level engineering now complete, the next step for the Glosten-led team is the development of a draft program for the pilot/demonstration project to be used for Federal and/or State grant funding solicitations.
"We are excited to forge ahead with Glosten and Ray Hunt on this project," said Brendan McMillin, Co-chairman of Canaveral Pilots. "This presents an opportunity not only to reduce some of our maintenance and operating costs, but to demonstrate that electric propulsion can be adopted by marine pilot associations on a broader scale."
Join the conversation...
In Transfluid, https://plugboats.com/launch-of-worlds-1st-hybrid-pilot-boat-for-london/ we have the technology and it runs quite well...
If needed, just contact me : salesfr@transfluid.eu
Video Harbor Pilots of Port Canaveral: Cruise Ship Transfers
published on 6 January 2025
In this video watch massive cruise ships departing from the Port of Canaveral! Join the Canaveral Pilots Association as we capture stunning footage of these floating cities embarking on unforgettable cruise adventures. From Royal Caribbean to Disney Cruise Line, experience the thrill of watching these colossal vessels glide through the water.
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#portcanaveral #harborpilot #cruiseship
Video Singapore’s First Hybrid Electric boat underway
published on 29 April 2021
15 mtr pilot boat classed under BV with the notation Electric Hybrid and Zero-Emission (“ZE”) mode. This notation provides operational and environmental benefits. It helps to ensure the systems operate safely and efficiently, as well as reduce fuel consumption, local air emissions and noise when in proximity to centers of population.
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published on 15 September 2022
The Pilots’ Association of the Bay and River Delaware have ordered another pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. It’s the pilots’ association’s fourth Chesapeake Class launch and eleventh pilot boat built by the Somerset, Mass., shipyard since 1957. Delivery of the new pilot boat is scheduled for 2024.
Video Is this a dangerous manoeuvre in a Pilot Boat?
published on 26 October 2020
Editors note: A film of a pilot boat has just been published on YouTube with the title "How Dangerous being in a Pilot Boat..." on YouTube. I'm not sure if this really shows a dangerous maneuver, maybe the experts can comment on it here.
But in principle it is problematic to approach the ship in such a small Pilot Boat in the wake from astern and cross the waves there. I remember an accident from Finland in December 2017 where the boat capsized and people died. Is this situation shown here...
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published on 6 April 2021
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by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 12 August 2024
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