Article

Composite Lightspeed® class Pilot Boat for the Biscayne Bay Pilot Association, Miami, Florida


by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 21 July 2020 1048 -

Text by Compmillennia LLC

Compmillennia LLC (Washington, North Carolina, U.S.A.) has delivered its Lightspeed® 41 (15.5-meter) Pilothouse catamaran, featuring strong but lightweight all-composite construction with a 42-knots achieved by twin 300-hp V8 Mercury Seapro outboard engines.

Designed for a visionary pilot boat association with a view to economical acquisition and operations, the Lightspeed® Pilot Boat delivers efficiency, low-maintenance and flexibility in high-speed transit, safe pilot boarding and search & rescue missions. Catamarans have proven over decades their superior stability, safety, roominess onboard and all-weather seakeeping. The Lightspeed® Pilot Boat’s all-composite construction features selective use of fiberglass, carbon and aramid fiber, impact- and vibration-absorbing core and high-elongation vacuum resin infused vinyl ester resin, increasing durability and lowering weight by 35% versus other composites and by 50% versus typical metal construction.

The efficient design of the Lightspeed® Pilot Boat combines a stepped hull bottom for speed, maneuverability and reduced pitch with a long waterline and sharp entry, mitigating neck and spinal compression induced by typical V-bottom pounding in a head sea. 100% cored composite construction in hull, deck and pilothouse provides full flotation in addition to four watertight compartments in each hull for ultimate safety at sea.
Matured from decades of boatbuilding and design experience, this intelligent, considered Pilot Boat is unaffected by Bernoulli effect during pilot transfer, enabling a swift, smooth separation once pilot boarding is complete. A rugged cylindrical OCEAN 3 fender system with Dynema lashing provides durable yet easy-to-service hull fender protection.

The 228-inch (5.8-meter) pilothouse provides uninterrupted sight lines from the boat deck to the ship’s deck and generous accommodation for 7 crew seated in Llebroc Tradewinds Shockwave mounted seats. A 5-kW Fischer Panda diesel gen-set and twin independent 16,000 BTU reverse cycle air conditioning units, ensure reliable climate control in tropical heat or northern cold.

The helm is equipped with Optimus power steering and full electronic array. A second helm station with engine binnacle control is fitted in the cockpit. The walk-through transom provides unimpeded access for man overboard recovery and other rescue operations. A transom platform between outboards allows in-water prop changes at sea in minutes.

The Lightspeed® Pilot Boat delivers speed, flat wake, sterling handling and an awesome ride. Operations are fast and enjoyable, while delivering the affordability, flexibility and low-cost bottom line sought by today’s pilot boat operators. Delivered June 2020, the Biscayne Bay Pilot Association’s Lightspeed® Pilothouse 41 has become their boatman’s and pilot’s first choice to meet their unique every day operational needs.

Compmillennia LLC is a boatbuilding pioneer with 50 years of innovative, affordable composite marine vessel design and construction, including the 100% Composite Superstructure for the 467-ft (141-meter) frigate conversion yacht Swift 141, 53-ft Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV), air drop rescue boats, carbon fiber Very High Speed Vessel (VHSV) structures and special composite fabrication projects as well as the Lightspeed® 1188 all-composite center-console catamarans.

For information contact: Jim Gardiner (Jim@compmillennia.com)
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

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 Boat Miami Port

published on 19 May 2023

A pilot boat entering the port of Miami.

0

Video Miami pilot boat, Ships & Voyager video

published on 21 August 2025

Here’s a nice video of ‘Miami’ the Interceptor 48 pilot we built for the Biscayne Bay Pilots, Florida on sea trials, with Voyager helping out as the camera boat.

0

Article Safehaven Marine to build a second S.A.R. Interceptor 48 for the Faroe Islands Rescue Service

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 16 June 2020

Safehaven Marine have signed contracts with the Faroe Islands Rescue Service for an Interceptor 48
‘self-righting’ S.A.R. (Search and Rescue craft.) This is the second S.A.R. Interceptor 48 we have
supplied to the Faroe Islands following ‘Sverri’ in 2013, which has worked very well in the
challenging North Atlantic seas they face off the Islands, with her crew being totally confident with
her seakeeping abilities, performance and reliability during rescue operations over the last 7 years.

0

Video Polaris - Pilot Boat

published on 14 October 2021

Vessel's details: IMO: 9496915 Name: POLARIS Vessel Type - Generic: Pilot Vessel Vessel Type - Detailed: Special Vessel Status: Active MMSI: 245142000 Call Sign: PBZN Flag: Netherlands [NL] Gross Tonnage: 2501 Summer DWT: 890 t Length Overall x Breadth Extreme: 81.2 x 13.3 m Year Built: 2012 Home Port: ROTTERDAM Geo location: 51.980840, 4.112364

0

Video Pilot Boat for sale: ProZero 12m DC lightpilot

published on 16 March 2020

The pilot vessel is located in Denmark. Please contact us by mail, we´ll forward your inquiry to the seller: info@marine-pilots.com Disclaimer: Marine-Pilots.com is only an intermediary for the sale and is not responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided by the customer or for any errors in publication. BUILD YEAR 2015 DIMENSIONS: Length, Overall: 12.0 m Beam Overall (with fender): 3.0 m Draft (full load, hull): 0.95 m Displacement (full load): 6.400 kg...

0

Video Kayleigh Ward - Belfast Harbour Pilot Boat Crew

published on 11 July 2024

Our Pilot Boats play a crucial role in maintaining the daily flow of maritime traffic to and from Belfast Harbour. Working 24/7, 365 days a year, in all kinds of weather conditions, this dedicated team carries out the vital task of bringing the Harbour Pilots out to arriving vessels, where they guide them safely into their berths, as well as disembarking them, often in challenging sea conditions on Belfast Lough.
Kayleigh Ward, our sole female pilot boat crew member, reveals how she gave up...

0

Article Australasian Marine Pilots Institute joins Shipping Australia as a new member

by Shipping Australia Limited - published on 30 September 2021

Shipping Australia is delighted to welcome the Australasian Marine Pilots Institute as our newest corporate associate member

0

Video Land and Sea: Sea Harbour Pilots

published on 4 July 2019

Sea Harbour Pilots: the men and women who guide ships into ports, at all hours, in all weather, in places around the Maritimes.

0