Article

What is a SWASH pilot boat? What's the difference to the SWATH technology?


by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 5 June 2020 2224 -

photos by Abeking & Rasmussen

At the A&R shipyard in Germany, the successful principle of SWATH boats was further developed in 2013: The SWASH principle allows sea-going, smaller and more economical boats.

The particularly seaworthy SWATH pilot transfer boats (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull), which are successfully marketed by Abeking & Rasmussen (A&R) shipyard, now have a smaller sister in the form of the SWASH design. SWATH constructions are twin hulls that sail on torpedo-shaped buoyancy bodies. Their decisive advantage over conventional ships is the better seaworthiness. They react to wind and waves with considerably less movement. These are characteristics that make them particularly suitable as pilot boats. For the pilots, the reduced boat movement makes it much safer and easier for them to climb over to large freighters. A&R produces SWATH boats in the sizes of 25, 40 and 50 meters in length.

For several years, the world-famous high-tech shipyard with its long yachting and shipbuilding tradition worked on the SWATH principle until it was ready for series production. The further development of the SWASH (Small Waterplane Area Single Hull) now had economic reasons. Pilots on the river Elbe wanted a lighter and more economical transfer boat than is possible with a SWATH construction, but did not want to do without its positive features.


20-meter long SWASH construction "Explorer"

According to Björn Widenbäck of A&R, the SWATH boats designed as catamarans cannot be offered much smaller than with a length of 25 meters. "Otherwise, the deep hulls in which the propulsion system is housed would not offer enough space for the propulsion system," he said. The solution now is the 20-meter long SWASH construction "Explorer" with only one hull and two trimaran-style stabilizing floats. "The Explorer is therefore faster, more maneuverable and above all more economical than a SWATH construction," Widenbäck said.

That the concept worked out was already clear after the first test runs. No wonder the pilots talk about the "most modern water taxi in the world". The aluminium prototype, which is over twelve meters wide and 3.10 meters deep, is made by A&R and will be used by the Elbe Pilot Brotherhood from Brunsbüttel for the next few months. After that, the pilots intend to enter into sales negotiations with the shipyard.

The new ship type was built in 2013 in the German high-tech shipyard, which is well utilised, in addition to existing orders. Therefore, the development and construction period had taken almost eight years.
As in the construction of the SWATH ships, safety, reliability and efficiency were the main criteria for the deep hull. The 900-kilowatt (over 1,200 hp) diesel engine from MTU, gearbox and an additional generator were accommodated in the hull tube. The unusual trimaran, with a displacement of 65 metric tons, thus achieves a speed of almost 20 knots - more than sufficient for transferring pilots to large container ships. On the Elbe, these vessels are not allowed to fall below a speed of eight knots in order to remain controllable, and they often travel at this speed. But even with more speed, the speed of the "Explorer" is sufficient.

Maneuverability and acceleration are particularly important for pilot transfer boats. The "20m SWASH construction" from A&R meets these criteria exactly.


20-meter long SWASH construction "Explorer"


Join the conversation...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Nilson Santos Santos Pilots, Brazil
on 5 June 2020, 16:44 UTC

Nearly the perfection on pilots transfer gears.
0

Read more...

Article SWATH & SWASH Technology - Smoother pilot boarding

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 3 July 2020

SWATH and SWASH are interesting technologies that allow a vessel to sail much more calmly in high waves. A stable and calm position of the ship is especially important for pilot boarding.


0

Video Swash@A&R "Explorer"

published on 3 June 2020

0

Video PILOT ON BOARD VIA HELICOPTER

published on 23 August 2021

0

Video Pilot Boat in Port of Tyne

published on 10 April 2025

Join me behind the scenes aboard the pilot boat as we guide the cruise ship Borealis out of the River Tyne and welcome a colossal vehicle carrier into port. In this video, you'll get an up-close look at the challenging conditions at sea, including a rough water pilot transfer as we safely land the pilot onboard. Experience the scale of these incredible vessels and see the precision teamwork it takes to keep everything running smoothly, even in heavy seas. From the stunning departure of the...

0

Video Pilot bording in Norway, Hammerfest, Ile de Batz

published on 21 June 2021

Editor's note: The pilot boarding seems a bit improvised and unsafe to me, but that's certainly business as usual, isn't it?

0

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 Boarding Ship In Rough Waves

published on 16 March 2022

Marine pilot boarding ship A marine pilot, also called maritime pilot, harbor pilot, port pilot, ship pilot, or simply pilot, is a mariner who maneuvers ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbors or river mouths. They are navigational experts possessing knowledge of the particular waterway, licensed or authorised by a recognised pilotage authority. When a ship needs to enter or leave a harbor, marine pilots are sent aboard via a small pilot boat to safely navigate the...

0

Video Johor Port Berhad Pilot

published on 9 April 2021

0