Article

Composite Lightspeed® class Pilot Boat for the Biscayne Bay Pilot Association, Miami, Florida


by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 21 July 2020 1048 -

Text by Compmillennia LLC

Compmillennia LLC (Washington, North Carolina, U.S.A.) has delivered its Lightspeed® 41 (15.5-meter) Pilothouse catamaran, featuring strong but lightweight all-composite construction with a 42-knots achieved by twin 300-hp V8 Mercury Seapro outboard engines.

Designed for a visionary pilot boat association with a view to economical acquisition and operations, the Lightspeed® Pilot Boat delivers efficiency, low-maintenance and flexibility in high-speed transit, safe pilot boarding and search & rescue missions. Catamarans have proven over decades their superior stability, safety, roominess onboard and all-weather seakeeping. The Lightspeed® Pilot Boat’s all-composite construction features selective use of fiberglass, carbon and aramid fiber, impact- and vibration-absorbing core and high-elongation vacuum resin infused vinyl ester resin, increasing durability and lowering weight by 35% versus other composites and by 50% versus typical metal construction.

The efficient design of the Lightspeed® Pilot Boat combines a stepped hull bottom for speed, maneuverability and reduced pitch with a long waterline and sharp entry, mitigating neck and spinal compression induced by typical V-bottom pounding in a head sea. 100% cored composite construction in hull, deck and pilothouse provides full flotation in addition to four watertight compartments in each hull for ultimate safety at sea.
Matured from decades of boatbuilding and design experience, this intelligent, considered Pilot Boat is unaffected by Bernoulli effect during pilot transfer, enabling a swift, smooth separation once pilot boarding is complete. A rugged cylindrical OCEAN 3 fender system with Dynema lashing provides durable yet easy-to-service hull fender protection.

The 228-inch (5.8-meter) pilothouse provides uninterrupted sight lines from the boat deck to the ship’s deck and generous accommodation for 7 crew seated in Llebroc Tradewinds Shockwave mounted seats. A 5-kW Fischer Panda diesel gen-set and twin independent 16,000 BTU reverse cycle air conditioning units, ensure reliable climate control in tropical heat or northern cold.

The helm is equipped with Optimus power steering and full electronic array. A second helm station with engine binnacle control is fitted in the cockpit. The walk-through transom provides unimpeded access for man overboard recovery and other rescue operations. A transom platform between outboards allows in-water prop changes at sea in minutes.

The Lightspeed® Pilot Boat delivers speed, flat wake, sterling handling and an awesome ride. Operations are fast and enjoyable, while delivering the affordability, flexibility and low-cost bottom line sought by today’s pilot boat operators. Delivered June 2020, the Biscayne Bay Pilot Association’s Lightspeed® Pilothouse 41 has become their boatman’s and pilot’s first choice to meet their unique every day operational needs.

Compmillennia LLC is a boatbuilding pioneer with 50 years of innovative, affordable composite marine vessel design and construction, including the 100% Composite Superstructure for the 467-ft (141-meter) frigate conversion yacht Swift 141, 53-ft Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV), air drop rescue boats, carbon fiber Very High Speed Vessel (VHSV) structures and special composite fabrication projects as well as the Lightspeed® 1188 all-composite center-console catamarans.

For information contact: Jim Gardiner (Jim@compmillennia.com)
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video Miami Pilot Boat

published on 29 August 2020

Editors Note:
Safety is different
One comment on YouTube on this video:
"No hard hats, no Hi-Viz clothing (in case pilot falls in) the one at 5:16 has not even got a life jacket - absolute cowboys!"

0

Video Pilot Boat Miami Port

published on 19 May 2023

A pilot boat entering the port of Miami.

0

Video Florida Harbor Pilot Boarding Submarine

published on 6 July 2019

A Florida Harbor Pilot encountering the pilot pilot ladder of a submarine. First harbor pilots must make their way offshore through rough seas to a vessel desiring their expertise to safely enter port. Next harbor pilots must negotiate the dangerous boarding accommodations to embark on vessels of every type. Next, the real work begins by using years of experience and centuries of knowledge passed down through the rigorous training process, to safely guide vessels in and out of Florida's...

0

Video Pilot Boat "Amber" - PB200 BY UZMAR

published on 27 November 2021

PORT QASIM LİMANI PIL0T BOT PROJESİ / KARAÇİ - PAKİSTAN PORT QASIM PORT PILOT BOAT PROJECT / KARACHI - PAKISTAN PİLOT BOT AMBER / PB2000 GÖVDE TİPİ /HULL TYPE: TEK GÖVDELİ /MONO HULL TAM BOY /LOA :20,50 m GENİŞLİK /BEAM :5,50 m MAKSİMUM HIZ / MAX. SPEED :23 Deniz Mili / 23 kts İNŞA MALZEMESİ /BUILDING MATERIAL :Çelik / Steel SEVK SİSTEMİ /PROPULSION SYSTEM :Sabit Kanatlı Pervane / Fix Pitch Propulsion

0

Video Pilot launch Nepean seen off Point Lonsdale, Victoria, Australia.

published on 21 November 2024

A quick look Pilot launch Nepean running through the rip seen off Point Lonsdale, Victoria, Australia.
Ship spotting at Point Lonsdale and other water activities by Wally on Water.

0

Video ProZero Workboats in the MOSES project2020

published on 25 January 2022

ProZero International are proud partners in the MOSES project2020 and in the video, you can learn more on our contributions to the project, and the expeceted outcome.
MOSES: Automated Vessels and Supply Chain Optimisation for Sustainable Short SEa Shippping

0

Video Pilots disembarking Harmony of the Seas

published on 30 April 2025

#GaltexPilots #pilotboatgalveston #gladdinghearn #goprohero11 #rammounts #galvestonpilots #viewfromthepilotboat @RoyalCaribbean #harmonyoftheseas #royalcaribbean #oasis #cruiseship #timeforavacation #vacation

0

Opinion A report on AIMPA’s Webinar on “Reconceptualising Indian Maritime Pilotage”

published on 6 November 2020

The need to hold such a webinar was felt from the interaction over several months of AIMPA members through its President, Capt. Gajanan Karanjikar, with Capt Simon Meyjes and Capt.Ravi Nijjer - both instrumental in the thorough upgrade of pilotage

0

Video Video Interview with Capt Karanjikar, Founder President AIMPA

published on 13 July 2020

All India Marine Pilot Association has been formed by a Group of Mariners who care for "safety and security" of the Marine Pilots. Although a lot of our Indian seafarers felt the dire need of such a body, it was only after the unfortunate and untimely demise of Capt V P Gupta following his fall from the ladder on 8th August 2019, that pilots and like-minded individuals started expressing their displeasure about the 'Eco-system'. Capt. Virendra Mishra, C.E.O., The Shipping Tribune, had the...

0