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 Miami pilot boat, Ships & Voyager video

published on 21 August 2025

Here’s a nice video of ‘Miami’ the Interceptor 48 pilot we built for the Biscayne Bay Pilots, Florida on sea trials, with Voyager helping out as the camera boat.

0

Video Pilot Boat 71 - Piraeus Port

published on 22 August 2025

0

Article Safehaven Marine launched ‘Ederra 6’ for the MVD Pilots Association

published on 17 June 2022

Safehaven Marine have launched ‘Ederra 6’ a new Interceptor 48 pilot boat for the MVD Pilots Association in Montevideo, Uruguay.

1

Video PNG Ports Corporation christians Siabo Pilot Boat

published on 28 April 2021

PNG Ports Corporation has christianed the Siabo, the first in a series of five pilot boats, each worth seven million Kina. The pilot boats are part of PNG Ports’ re-fleeting plan to satisfy the demands of its clients, to meet international standards. State Enterprises Minister, William Duma commended PNG Ports for its consistency in producing outstanding results. #pngnews #looppng #tvwannews LATEST NEWS: http://www.looppng.com/ SUBSCRIBE to Loop PNG on YouTube: https://bit.ly/LoopPNG-YT...

0

Video Pilot Boat for sale: ProZero 12m DC lightpilot

published on 16 March 2020

The pilot vessel is located in Denmark. Please contact us by mail, we´ll forward your inquiry to the seller: info@marine-pilots.com Disclaimer: Marine-Pilots.com is only an intermediary for the sale and is not responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided by the customer or for any errors in publication. BUILD YEAR 2015 DIMENSIONS: Length, Overall: 12.0 m Beam Overall (with fender): 3.0 m Draft (full load, hull): 0.95 m Displacement (full load): 6.400 kg...

0

Video Unayzah Express 2021 (Preparing Gangway) Container vessel

published on 19 August 2025

Let's change our perspective and see how the team sets up an accommodation ladder.

0

Video Ever Forward Versus Ever Given Grounding & Salvage | What's Going on With Shipping?

published on 23 March 2022

On this episode of What's Going On With Shipping, Sal Mercogliano - former merchant mariner and maritime historian at Campbell University - we compare and constrast the grounding and salvage of MV Ever Forward (March 13, 2022) with that of MV Ever Given (March 23, 2021).

0