Article by BAIRD Maritime - Pictures Safehaven Marine
Irish boatbuilder Safehaven Marine recently handed over a new pilot boat to the Port of Ferrol in northwestern Spain. Named Punta Do Cruceiro, the vessel was designed for operation even under challenging conditions in the waters in that region of the Atlantic.
The newbuild has an LOA of 15 metres (49 feet), a moulded beam of 4.1 metres (13 feet), a draught of only 1.35 metres (4.43 feet), a lightship displacement of approximately 17.2 tonnes, and space for one crewmember plus up to seven pilots/passengers. Two Volvo Penta D13 engines deliver an operational speed of 24.5 knots and are installed in a spacious engine room with all service components easily accessible.
The boat was also designed with a high-buoyancy superstructure to ensure full self-righting ability in the event of a capsize. The vessel has also been built with numerous features such as automatically closing air vents, 15mm-thick windows, and watertight wheelhouse doors. The superstructure’s forward windows are aft-sloping to minimise pressure loadings when taking green seas over the bow.
Designed for safety and comfort even during long transits
Irish boatbuilder Safehaven Marine recently handed over a new pilot boat to the Port of Ferrol in northwestern Spain. Named Punta Do Cruceiro, the vessel was designed for operation even under challenging conditions in the waters in that region of the Atlantic.
The newbuild has an LOA of 15 metres (49 feet), a moulded beam of 4.1 metres (13 feet), a draught of only 1.35 metres (4.43 feet), a lightship displacement of approximately 17.2 tonnes, and space for one crewmember plus up to seven pilots/passengers. Two Volvo Penta D13 engines deliver an operational speed of 24.5 knots and are installed in a spacious engine room with all service components easily accessible.
The boat was also designed with a high-buoyancy superstructure to ensure full self-righting ability in the event of a capsize. The vessel has also been built with numerous features such as automatically closing air vents, 15mm-thick windows, and watertight wheelhouse doors. The superstructure’s forward windows are aft-sloping to minimise pressure loadings when taking green seas over the bow.
Designed for safety and comfort even during long transits
The wheelhouse has shock-mitigation seating and air conditioning with high-level outlets to provide a comfortable environment. Double glazing on all windows ensures that good visibility is maintained at all times without the usual problems of misting in poor conditions. Outside noise heard from within the wheelhouse is significantly low at just 74 db.
The boat has a large and spacious forward cabin, which was partly made possible by placing the engines further aft underneath the main cabin, where these are subject to less loadings and accelerations in rough seas. This configuration also means the engines can be quickly removed in the unlikely event of failure through hatches incorporated in the main cabin sole and cabin roof.
The forward cabin features bunk berths allowing pilots to rest and relax comfortably during transits at nighttime. This area also provides increased seating capacity that can be utilised in an emergency, or when additional passenger seating is required. The vessel can be fitted with a boarding ladder, improving safety for pilots when boarding while having only reduced obstruction to visibility from the helm station.
The interior is finished to a very high standard, fully lined throughout in vinyl and sidelining carpet to produce an exceptionally luxurious environment for the occupants.
A full electronics package with displays positioned flush in an FRP "wrap around" helm console gives the coxswain excellent command of the vessel, with all displays clearly visible. The engine room is meanwhile very spacious with all service components easily accessible. The wheelhouse electronics also include a Garmin radar.
The boat is very heavily fendered and also features Safehaven Marine's proprietary 300x300mm sacrificial shoulder fender system, ensuring pilot boardings in rough conditions are soft, with impacts well-cushioned and the main fender and hull structure fully protected. Multiple diagonals and a lower run further protect the vessel. Additional fendering at the rounded bow allows the vessel to be used for occasional pushing to assist pilots in small ship manoeuvres.
The boat has a large and spacious forward cabin, which was partly made possible by placing the engines further aft underneath the main cabin, where these are subject to less loadings and accelerations in rough seas. This configuration also means the engines can be quickly removed in the unlikely event of failure through hatches incorporated in the main cabin sole and cabin roof.
The forward cabin features bunk berths allowing pilots to rest and relax comfortably during transits at nighttime. This area also provides increased seating capacity that can be utilised in an emergency, or when additional passenger seating is required. The vessel can be fitted with a boarding ladder, improving safety for pilots when boarding while having only reduced obstruction to visibility from the helm station.
The interior is finished to a very high standard, fully lined throughout in vinyl and sidelining carpet to produce an exceptionally luxurious environment for the occupants.
A full electronics package with displays positioned flush in an FRP "wrap around" helm console gives the coxswain excellent command of the vessel, with all displays clearly visible. The engine room is meanwhile very spacious with all service components easily accessible. The wheelhouse electronics also include a Garmin radar.
The boat is very heavily fendered and also features Safehaven Marine's proprietary 300x300mm sacrificial shoulder fender system, ensuring pilot boardings in rough conditions are soft, with impacts well-cushioned and the main fender and hull structure fully protected. Multiple diagonals and a lower run further protect the vessel. Additional fendering at the rounded bow allows the vessel to be used for occasional pushing to assist pilots in small ship manoeuvres.
Wheelhouse interior- Safehaven Marine
Wheelhouse interior- Safehaven Marine
Power for the onboard systems is supplied by a 3.5kW generator. MOB recovery can be carried out using Safehaven Marine’s transom-operated platform, which will allow an injured pilot to be safely recovered from the sea even when unconscious.
Punta Do Croceiro was designed and built in compliance with Bureau Veritas class requirements.
Punta Do Croceiro was designed and built in compliance with Bureau Veritas class requirements.
Punta Do Croceiro - Safehaven Marine
Punta Do Croceiro - Safehaven Marine
