Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, has received a new pilot boat order from the Maryland pilots. Delivery of the new 53-ft in 2010, will mark the shipyard’s eleventh Chesapeake Class pilot boat since it was introduced in 2002.
Designed by C. Raymond Hunt & Associates, the new all-aluminum pilot boat measures 52.5-ft overall, with a 16.6-ft beam and 4.7-ft draft, and will have a top speed of 25 knots. The deep-V hull will be powered by twin Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines, each delivering 600 Bhp at 2100 rpm, with Twin Disc MG514A gear boxes. The engines will turn 5-blade Bruton, NiBrAl propellers through three-inch shafts. The launch is equipped with a 9kw generator.
With forward-leaning front windows, the pilothouse is located amidships on a flush deck and equipped with a boarding platform on the roof. At the transom are throttle and steering controls, and a winch-operated, rotating davit over a recessed platform for pilot rescue operations. The handrails and deck are heated from the engines.
Air conditioning and heating are supplied by two 16,000 Btu Marine-Air units and 2000 watt 240 VAC heaters in the pilothouse and forecastle. The pilothouse is outfitted with four Stidd reclining seats, in addition to the helmsman’s seat. The forecastle includes a settee/berth and porta-potty. Interior sound levels are 78 dba.