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 MVD Harbour Pilots Society signed for two Interceptor 48 pilots by Safehaven

published on 26 March 2021

Safehaven Marine just announced that the ‘MVD Harbour Pilots Society’ who operate pilotage in the River Plate Estuar, Montevideo for two self-righting all weather Interceptor 48 pilots.

1

Article Pilot Boat Review "Colne Leader" by BairdMaritime.com

by Baird Maritime - published on 10 May 2023

The Brightlingsea Harbour Commission of Essex, UK, recently took delivery of a new pilot boat built by Seaward Boat Development Company based on the Isle of Wight.

0

Video Pilot boat docks at historic icebreaker

published on 9 June 2023

03.06.2023 Pilot boat docks at historic steam icebreaker Szczecin, for Kiel Canal Lock Brunsbüttel

0

Video What a ride: Coast Guard boat is surfing in the mouth of the Duluth Canal

published on 16 September 2020

The mouth of the Duluth Canal is a dangerous entrance in bad weather. Here the coast guard shows the agility of their boats. What a ride!

0

Video World largest and strongest nuclear Icebreaker

published on 6 July 2019

World largest and strongest nuclear Icebreaker

0

Video Docking a Mega Ship -- How Marine Pilot Manoeuvres a Ship in Port?

published on 24 July 2020

#dockingship #marinepilot Docking a Mega ship in a busy port requires an experienced marine pilot to ensure safe ship docking operation. This video is an excellent overview of how marine pilot manoeuvres a ship into the port. Manoeuvring is an operation during which a vessel enters or exits coastal waters of a country, crosses several ships on the way, and proceeds towards or departs from a berth or jetty of a port. Shot By an experienced marine pilot Syatibi Azhari, who assisted MSC Ambra,...

0