Article

Metal Shark Delivers 55-Foot Pilot Boat To Pascagoula Pilots


published on 24 November 2021 225 -

The second Metal Shark pilot boat to join the Pascagoula Pilots fleet, the distinctive new “Singing River Island” represents the latest evolution in the Louisiana-based builder’s growing Defiant-class pilot boat lineup. Designed by Metal Shark’s in-house engineering team and built at the company’s Franklin, Louisiana shipyard, the new 55 Defiant Pilot combines a proven hull form with a modern, crew-friendly arrangement designed to deliver class-leading comfort, safety, efficiency, and performance.

“Metal Shark has succeeded in combining quality and comfort,” said Pascagoula Bar Pilots Association Captain Walter Gautier. “This vessel is proving daily to be a safe and pilot-friendly platform for transfers at sea.”

Metal Shark’s military-proven Defiant-class monohull pilothouse vessels are popular across a wide range of markets, with hundreds of parent-class vessels in service worldwide. For its pilot boat clients, Metal Shark pairs the proven Defiant hull form with a bespoke arrangement designed specifically for pilotage. Flat, non-skid decks run from bow to stern and allow pilots to move quickly and safely around the vessel, rugged pilot-specific fendering systems absorb impacts, and stern corners and bow feature a gentle radius to allow easy underway separation from ships following pilot transfer. Safety rails and grab handles are carefully placed, and pilot boarding platforms are configured to suit the requirements of each operator. For Pascagoula, a foredeck transfer zone features integrated port, starboard, and forward stairways leading to two deployable platforms, allowing pilots to quickly and safely board ships from either side of the vessel.

The 55 Defiant Pilot features an innovative pilothouse designed to deliver best-in-class visibility. The use of Metal Shark’s signature “pillarless glass” with reverse-raked windshield significantly reduces blind spots compared to the industry’s legacy pilot boat designs, which generally feature smaller, framed windows. An innovative two-tiered side window arrangement, with a second row of windows below the belt line, provides unmatched downward-angle visibility from the helm during alongside maneuvers or man-overboard retrieval. A panoramic skylight array provides an unobstructed upwards view while operating alongside ships during pilot transfer.

As built for Pascagoula Pilots, the 55 Defiant’s spacious climate-controlled cabin is equipped with four Dometic HVAC units and offers seating for seven, accommodating a single operator forward plus six pilot passengers. For comfort and convenience, each swivel seating position is equipped with a footrest, adjustable armrests, white/red LED lighting, a drink holder, and two 12-volt USB outlets.

A full electronics suite includes Furuno TZtouch2 multifunction black box system with integrated GPS, radar, depth sounder, and a FLIR M-series 364C premium thermal imaging system for nighttime operations. Five closed-circuit cameras allow the vessel’s operator to monitor the engine room and aft deck from multiple angles at a glance while still maintaining watch. All of these features are displayed on three 19” Nauticomp GB Elite Series multi-touch displays.

Belowdecks accommodations include an enclosed head compartment with fresh water sink, bunks, and individual storage lockers for crew members’ personal items. Acoustic insulation and flooring are employed throughout the vessel to reduce noise and vibration.

To meet the client’s performance requirements, Metal Shark equipped the Singing River Island with twin 803-horsepower Cat C18 engines turning Michigan Wheel 34” diameter Nibral four-blade propellers through Twin Disc MGX5146A 1.961 gears. This combination delivers a cruise speed in the 25-knot range and a top speed approaching 30 knots. An 800-gallon fuel capacity allows for a cruise speed range of approximately 280 nautical miles.

The new vessel is the latest result of Metal Shark’s ongoing expansion into the pilot boat market, following two 45-foot Defiant pilot boats delivered to Belle Chasse Marine Transportation in late 2019, and 45-foot and 64-foot Defiant pilot boats delivered in 2018.

“Through an unwavering commitment to product improvement and a significant investment in engineering, we continue to expand and evolve our portfolio,” said Metal Shark CEO Chris Allard. “In the past two years we have delivered entirely new 32’, 38’, 40’, 50’, 55’, and 70’ Defiant models, each utilizing an extensively proven hull form and optimized for its specific mission. By working closely with our customers and continually monitoring market trends, we strive to be predictive instead of reactive, designing and building increasingly modern, capable, and crew-friendly vessels and delivering them sooner.”

“I’d like to thank the Pascagoula Bar Pilots Association for allowing us to build their second Metal Shark pilot boat,” said Metal Shark’s Vice President of Commercial Sales, Carl Wegener. “We recognize that our clients have choices, and it is a real validation of our ongoing efforts in the pilot boat sector to earn a repeat customer; one we hope to keep in the Metal Shark family for years to come. We invite all pilot groups to learn about the many advantages of a next-generation Metal Shark pilot boat.”
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video Puerto cabello Pilot Boat

published on 24 April 2021

0

Video PilotVessel "SEA MASTER"/ BulkCarrierShip "S SAMBA"/ Recalada KM239_1 RioDeLaPlata / 24.09.2024

published on 30 September 2024

#PilotVessel "SEA MASTER"/ On board #BulkCarrierShip "S SAMBA" #KM239_1 #Recalada #PuntaIndioChannel #RioDeLaPlata #Argentina/ 24th. September 2024 - 09:07 Local Time.- On this video (with original sound), you can watch the Pilot Vessel "SEA MASTER", arrived at #KM239_1 #Recalada #boardingpoint #PuntaIndioChannel to disembark the Rio de la Plata Pilots. This video was filmed on board the following Vessel: Bulk Carrier Ship "S SAMBA" - Call Sign: V7IU6 - IMO Number: 9712486 - Flag: MARSHALL...

0

Video Pilot Boat Draco. Port of Rotterdam, February 23, 2020.

published on 1 April 2020

February 23, 2020.
During high seas, smaller ships board Maritime Pilots in the mass entrance to Port of Rotterdam.

0

Video Marine pilotage - a pilot's boat trip in Helsinki (Finland)

published on 28 September 2021

This video is filmed in 2015, edited 2021.
A maritime pilot, marine 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 such as its depth, currents, and hazards, as well as being experts in handling ships of all types and size. A Maritime pilot is an expert ship handler who is licensed or authorised...

0

Video New pilot boat DPC DODDER arrives in Dublin Port, Ireland

published on 13 March 2023

#MyBloopers #aviation #airplane #airport #airplanespotting #dublin #dublinairport #ireland #boeing #airbus #aviation #airplane #airplanespotting #airport #airforce #airbus #boeing #airplane #aviation #avgeek #aircraft #boeing #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #plane #airport #planespotting #a #airbus #pilot #instagramaviation #aviationdaily #instaaviation #aviationgeek #flight #instaplane #flying #b #travel #fly #planespotter #airplanes #pilotlife #lovers #planes #f #photography...

0

Video 2019 Marine Notice regarding pilot transfer arrangements

published on 3 June 2020

This video explains what is a Marine Notice and discusses the recently issued (2019) marine notice regarding pilot transfer arrangements.
Mariners appearing for oral examinations will benefit from watching this video.

0

Article Pilot spots dolphins in Kopli Bay (Estonia)

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 7 June 2020

Marine pilot Indrek Sülla (Eesti Loots) spotted dolphins in the waters of Kopli Bay, off the coast of Tallinn, a few days ago. This is a very special event in this region and so far north.

0

Article MARS-Report: Paltry PPU position predictor

by The Nautical Insitute - published on 18 August 2023

To monitor the vessel’s progress, the pilot had set up his portable pilotage unit (PPU). He had connected the rate-of-turn generator to the vessel’s pilot plug and had set a variable range marker on the radar with a radius of 0.5 nm.

0

Video S-102 Bathymetric Surface Product for a Safe Passage

published on 13 July 2020

Specialized training for maritime pilots
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada – June 23, 2020 – The Maritime Simulation and Resource Centre (MSRC), a world-class pilot simulation training and port feasibility studies facility, is pleased to announce the release of an informational video on the new S-102 standards on surface bathymetry products.
In the video, Captain Pascal Rhéaume, pilot and member of the technical committee for the Corporation of Lower St-Lawrence Pilots, an active stakeholder...

0