Article

ARANSAS PILOT III – Pilot Boat for Port Aransas, Texas


by Baird Maritime - published on 2 September 2022 160 -

Article by www.BairdMaritime.com. Photos by Breaux Bay Craft

In the 65 years since Roy Breaux, Sr. founded Breaux’s Bay Craft and on down through three generations, the yard has built over 1,700 hulls. Through the regular expansion and contraction of the oil industry, they learned to pivot from market demand to market demand.

As the oil industry in the Gulf of Mexico moved farther offshore, the demand for larger and faster crewboats was met by Breaux. The fine-hulled aluminum crewboats grew to 125-foot (38-metre) vessels powered by up to five 700hp (521kW) Cummins KTA19 engines, then, the boats grew to 145 by 28 feet (44 by 8.5 metres) with four Cummins KTA38 engines delivering 5,600 hp (4,175 kW) total and a 30-knot speed. In 2008 they delivered the 180- by 30-foot (54- by 9.1-metre), red-hulled fast supply vessel Miss Lauren, powered by four Cummins KTA50 mains each delivering 1,800 hp (1,342 kW).
Photo: Breaux’s Bay Craft
Photo: Breaux’s Bay Craft
Photo: Breaux’s Bay Craft
Photo: Breaux’s Bay Craft
Even then, there were uncertainties on the horizon. While some demand continued for new and repair work, the company began to pivot. They built passenger vessels, yachts, and patrol boats, each designed to the needs and demands of the individual customer and launched into Bayou Teche near Loreauville Louisiana.

With over 1,700 boats advertising the name over the years, there have been some significant one-off vessels designed and built by the firm. Builders often note that ship’s pilot organisations can be the most particular customers due to their own massive experience in the maritime world. Breaux’s Bay Craft recently gained international attention with the largest, 90-foot (27-metre), all-aluminium pilot boat built in the US for the Sabine Pilots of Texas. After one year in operation, it currently has over 70,000 nautical miles under the keel.

In June 2022, they sea trialed and delivered a 70- by 19.5-foot (21.3- by 5.9-metre) pilot vessel to Aracor of Port Aransas, Texas. Designed in-house in consultation with the pilots, the vessel features a new-generation, inverted deep-V bottom.
Photo: Breaux’s Bay Craft
Photo: Breaux’s Bay Craft
Photo: Breaux’s Bay Craft
Photo: Breaux’s Bay Craft
Pilot boats are all-weather boats, designed for seakeeping and speed. The new boat, Aransas Pilot III, is all of that. The hull design gives her excellent handling in heavy seas, and her propulsion package assures plenty of speed. A pair of Cummins QSK 38M1 LTAC engines each delivering 1,400 hp (1,043 kW) at 1,900 rpm are coupled to Twin Disc MGX 6620A, 2.09:1 gears. These turn Aqua Tech shafts and NiBral 39.5- by 50-inch (1,003mm by 1,270mm) props. This power is selected to give the 70-foot (21.3-metre) boat a speed of 27 to 30 knots.

Auxiliary power is provided by a pair of 36kW Northern Lights single phase generators with sound enclosures. Tankages on the Aransas III include fuel with 2,500 gallons (9,463 litres), water with 150 gallons (567 litres), and lube oil with 110 gallons (416 litres).
Photo: Breaux’s Bay Craft
Photo: Breaux’s Bay Craft
Photo: Breaux’s Bay Craft
Photo: Breaux’s Bay Craft
. . .

More text & photos:
The Pilot Boat was build by:
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 Polaris Pilot Boat Antwerp Belgium

published on 15 March 2022

Vessel name: Polaris ; Year built: 2012 ; Flag: Netherlands ; Homeport: Rotterdam Length: 81.2m X 13.3m ; GRT: 2501 ; Callsign: PBZN ; MMSI:245142000 ; IMO: 9496915 Type: Special Vessel / Pilot Ship A "Pilot Ship / Pilot Vessel" is a "special type" of ship in which it accommodates a certain and limited Marine Pilots (Sea, River, Harbor Pilots), it also carries small boats/crafts that are used to tender services to and from the Pilot ship. In a Pilot Vessel, the Pilots can take their time...

1

Video Pilot Leaving Ship Vigo

published on 31 March 2023

0

Article The Pilot Magazine, Issue 331 by UKMPA

by United Kingdom Maritime Pilots Association - published on 14 December 2021

Marine-Pilots.com congratulates the UKMPA on the new design and layout of their new magazine "The Pilot". Really well done!
The Pilot Magazine is the official membership magazine of the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots' Association

0

Video The most dangerous job ? | Maritime pilot | Episode 2 [Arie Palmers]

published on 20 September 2024

In this episode, we are joined by Arie Palmers, a maritime pilot with over 16 years of experience. Arie provides an in-depth overview of the safety and challenges faced daily by maritime pilots. Check out Arie’s LinkedIn profile for access to the "Weekly Ladder Misery", where you’ll find golden insights into the safe practices that maritime pilots should follow. We’ll cover crucial topics such as: 1️⃣ Challenges and dangers of being a maritime pilot 2️⃣ Understanding good practices for...

2

Video Marine Pilot Vincent's Last pilot's trip - Flemish Pilotage

published on 20 October 2021

The last pilot's trip of Vincent (Flemish pilotage). An unforgettable day provided by Vincent, his family and team 9. A trip from Vlissingen to the Zandvlietsluis on Saturday 18 September 2021.

4

Video Ro-ro cargo ship"Festivo" struck pier at Ceuta, Spain while berthing

published on 8 July 2020

Ro-ro cargo ship FESTIVO struck pier at Ceuta while berthing on arrival from Algeciras, at around 1300 UTC Jul 6. Cause of accident unknown, both ship’s bow and pier sustained damages.

0

Article December 2022 edition of The New Zealand Pilot published

published on 3 January 2023

The latest edition of The New Zealand Pilot has been published (link in article).

0

Opinion Snakes or Ladders

by Ewan Rattray, UK - published on 12 March 2021

A MIXED METHODOLOGY REVIEW INTO THE BOARDING AND LANDING OF MARITIME PILOTS.

0

Video Pilot boarding in Brazil

published on 9 August 2021

Awesome scenery

1