Text and photos by Safehaven
Safehaven Marine, pilot boat specialist builders in Ireland have launched a new Interceptor 48 pilot boat for the Port of Coruna in Northern Spain. ‘Practicos Coruna Ochno’ is powered by a pair of Volvo D13 500hp continuously rated engines and ZF Gearboxes. Propulsion is by conventional sterngear turning 28” propellers giving her a 25kts continuous operational speed. Capable of carrying 7 pilots and crew all on shock mitigation seating comfortably in her spacious fully lined cabin with extremely low noise levels of 73db recorded.
She is proving very economical using just under 80 litres of fuel per hr on each engine at 25kts. She is heavily fendered all round and incorporating Safehaven’s sacrificial fender system protecting the vessel at her boarding area and softening the inevitable hard impact that can occur in poor conditions. Safehaven’s proven MOB recovery system is fitted on the transom allowing a casualty to be easily recovered in a MOB situation. A full suite of Garmin electronics are installed at her central helm position which provides excellent all round visibility and control of the craft when undertaking alongside ship pilot transfers.
Safehaven undertook extensive rough weather sea trials to fully test her and took advantage of being able to do multiple boarding trails alongside the ‘Taccola’ dredger that is operating in Cork harbour presently, demonstrating to clients how nicely she handles alongside, and captured some cool photos and video.
Above left, spacious forward cabin, right engine room and below her central helm position with all round visibility.
Above left, spacious forward cabin, right engine room and below her central helm position with all round visibility.
She is Safehaven’s 5th pilot boat supplied to Spain and 45th pilot boat built overall.
