Article

Saint-Michel – France's Le Havre Pilot Station with new Pilot Boat


by Baird Maritime - published on 23 February 2026 345 -

France's JFA Yachts recently handed over a new self-righting boat to the Le Havre Pilot Station.

Designed by local naval architecture firm Pantocarene, Saint-Michel is of all-FRP construction and has an LOA of 16.18 metres (53.08 feet), a beam of 4.91 metres (16.1 feet), a draught of only 1.5 metres (4.9 feet), a lightship displacement of 21 tons, and space for two crewmembers and up to eight pilots.

Two MAN D2676 LE 477 diesel engines that each produce 500 hp (370 kW) are installed in a V-drive configuration. These drive two propellers via shaftlines to deliver a maximum speed of 25 knots.

Layout ensuring ease of maintenance

A selective catalytic reduction system with urea injection helps minimise the engines' NOx emissions to ensure compliance with IMO Tier III standards.

The engines are housed in an aft deck casing that can be easily removed to allow maintenance and servicing.

Proven bow design delivering greater stability even at speed

Saint-MichelJFA Yachts
Saint-MichelJFA Yachts
Saint-MichelJFA Yachts
Saint-MichelJFA Yachts
Saint-Michel boasts Pantocarene’s prominent wave-piercing beak bow design that facilitates smooth navigation in turbulent waters, thus significantly reducing vertical acceleration and ensuring stability for pilots.

The vessel's self-righting ability meanwhile allows her to continue to operate after recovering from a weather-induced capsizing, making her ideal for deployment in offshore waters characterised by extreme conditions.
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