Article

Port of Ferrol (Spain) welcomes new pilot boat


by Baird Maritime - published on 2 December 2024 1045 -

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
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.
Wheelhouse interior- Safehaven Marine
Wheelhouse interior- Safehaven Marine
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 - Safehaven Marine
Punta Do Croceiro - Safehaven Marine
Punta Do Croceiro - Safehaven Marine
Punta Do Croceiro - Safehaven Marine
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video Kittiwake Mersey Pilot

published on 22 December 2021

KITTIWAKE ( MMSI 232008570) is a Pilot and currently sailing under the flag of United Kingdom (UK) Here she is speeding down the River this morning.

0

Video Pilot Leaving Ship Vigo

published on 31 March 2023

0

Video Pilot Transfer - New Zealand (Auckland) & Australia (Melbourne/Fremantle)

published on 21 October 2021

Spotted some Pilot Boats in the Port of Auckland, New Zealand and Melbourne & Fremantle Australia (Port codes: Auckland:NZ AKL ; Melbourne:AU MEL ; Fremantle:AU FRE).

0

Article Safehaven Marine have launched ‘Rubban’ for DPWorld.

by Frank Kowalski - published on 14 March 2025

She is destined for their pilotage operations at Jebel Ali in the UAE, the Worlds ninth busiest port and follows their first Pilot 60 ‘Murshid’ delivered last December.

0

Article Kiel Pilots Operating on Emergency Basis

published on 3 June 2024

Since October, pilots from Kiel have been unable to use their offshore transfer station. Long detours and limited rest periods have complicated their workdays, with no end in sight.

1

Article Pilots in Louisiana: Legislators put aside proposed rule changes

published on 25 January 2022

The joint House and Senate Commerce committees Monday joined 87 pilots and Board of Louisiana River Pilot Review and Oversight in rejecting the proposed measures on the argument that they would negatively affect minorities trying to break into river piloting.

0

Article The 5th new pilot vessel launched for Liverpool

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 15 September 2020

According to Briggs Marine: The PV “FULMAR” of Liverpool, an ORC 136 fast Pilot Craft, has been launched at Goodchild Marine Services Ltd.

0

Article Harbor pilots have one of the highest paid — but simultaneously riskiest — job

published on 17 April 2023

The average harbor pilot at the Port of Los Angeles makes $434,000 a year, but also faces a one in 20 chance of dying on the job, according to a book from The Wall Street Journal's Christopher Mims that was published in 2021.

1

Article Handover of Kewatec Pilot 1630 to Gdańsk Pilot (Poland)

published on 15 November 2021

This week, Kewatec handed over another popular boat, Kewatec Pilot 1630, to the pilot boat operator Gdańsk Pilot in Poland. The fast pilot boat is self-righting and designed with extraordinary safety performance for both the pilots and boat operators.

0