Dutch Pilot Boat Approaching. Swath Technology

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.

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.

Abeking Rasmussen
The shipyard has been developing and building ships for navies, coastguards, the public sector, ship operators and private customers since 1907. In addition to sailing- and motoryachts, current products include minesweepers and --hunters, patrol boats plus special ships like research and supply ships for the offshore industry.
With SWATH@A&R technology Abeking & Rasmussen developed a type of ship with exceptional seakeeping capabilities that provides a stable working...

The new 56-ft. Virginia Pilots launch is powered by a pair of Volvo Penta D13 700 hp EPA Tier 3 engines matched with IPS-3 steerable pod drives with forward-facing counter-rotating props. The propulsion system includes Volvo Penta’s EVC electronic steering and control system with a three-axis joystick. Top speed is 33+ knots.

​Ein außergewöhnlicher Anblick an der Festung Grauerort am 1. Juni 2026: Das markante rote Lotsenversetzschiff WESER passierte am späten Vormittag unsere Elbcam. Das Spezialschiff, das in der markanten SWATH-Bauweise (Doppelrumpf) konstruiert ist, befand sich nach einem Werftaufenthalt auf dem Rückweg in sein Stammrevier. Mit rund 12,5 Knoten zog der rote Hingucker elbabwärts an der Kamera vorbei.

by Rhys Davies, current Apprentice. Published already in Feb. 2020 by ABP.

The Port of Waterford is to invest almost €1m in a new pilot boat to be named Port Láirge, which as Irish for Waterford is a name long associated with a steam-powered dredger that served Waterford for more than 70 years until the 1980s.