NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2009
PORT OF SOUTHAMPTONS SECOND PILOT / PATROL BOAT 'PATHFINDER' IS LAUNCHED.
'PATHFINDER' Sea trials in storm force 10 and 8m breaking seas off Cork Harbour, Ireland 12 January 2019
After a long period of freezing weather an intense storm developed of the South coast of Ireland, blowing at up to storm force 10 for 12hrs from the SE, a big 8m sea had built up which was breaking exceptionally heavily at the mouth of the harbour. Roches Point lighthouse was recording 60kts at the time of the sea trials and the sea state was extreme. Care was needed facing into the bigger breaking seas as she was bodily thrown backwards when hit by such a force of water. Pathfinder handled it all fine, being very stable even in such big seas and we felt comfortable and relatively safe with the conditions, as bad as they were.
Below are some photographs from the day, visibility was very poor in rain, so the quality is not great, but an impression of the conditions can be appreciated.
Its always difficult to judge a waves height, but looking at the last photo in the sequence of stills captured from video footage, you can see that the crest is above her transom and her bow just in the trough. Factoring her 16.5m length and resulting 45 degree angle your probably looking at an 11m (35ft) wave height, pretty big!
You can see the video from this day on you tube- See the video- CLICK HERE
'PATHFINDER' The second of VT Critical services new Interceptor 55 pilot / patrol vessel for the Port of Southampton has been launched, below are a few photographs of her.
'Pathfinder' the second Interceptor 55 pilot / patrol vessel ordered by VT Critical services for the Port of Southampton is nearing completion. She follows the first vessel 'SPITFIRE' which has been in operation since June and having completed some 1500 hrs now is proving herself in service at the port. The South coast of the UK has experienced some pretty extreme weather over the last few weeks and Spitfire has proved herself a very able sea boat
Below is an extract from a recent sea keeping report by one of her her coxwains.
Sea Trial Report on SPITFIRE
Date: Saturday 14th November 2009
Weather: Wind SW 9 to Storm 10
Wave height 3m+ / 10-12ft
Position: Thorn Channel/Brambles
Time: 14OO hrs
"The Wind speed at this time on the Brambles Post was 60knots. I was off Calshot in the Spitfire running at 17 Knots in to a steep 2.5 to 3.0 metre Sea heading towards the West Bramble Buoy, Occasionally we had to Reduce to 14/15 knots for the Larger waves 3.0 metre +. She was surprisingly Dry only having the wipers on occasional wipe and with little slamming. We then ran Beam on to the sea heading for Cowes; the Launch was very stable but needed the power to maintain 15 knots due to the wind and helm needed to hold a course. Down wind we were able to run at 18 Knots, there was slight broaching which was controllable with the helm and engines. We also just ran at 8 knots with the Sea behind us which she handled fine we even made a cup of tea! For a launch of this type She was very good, at no time did the launch give me an uneasy feeling, we felt safe and relatively comfortable considering the conditions"
Gary Olden
Below, some nice photos of Pathfinder during first rough weather sea trials, you can see a video of the trials here- SEE THE VIDEO
It has been a busy past few month for us which has come to fruition with the launch of Izurdia-
'IZURDIA' THE PORT OF BAYONNE'S INTERCEPTOR 42 'PILOT'
'IZURDIA' The Port of Bayonne's new Interceptor 42 'Pilot' has been launched. Seen below are some photographs taken during rough weather sea keeping trials at the entrance to Cork Harbour with up to 40kts of wind, 4-5m breaking seas during the full ebb tide, creating challenging wind against swell conditions at the entrance. She handled the conditions effortlessly demonstrating her tremendous stability and the ability to deal with heavy weather when necessary. You can see a video of the sea trial on you tube from this link- SEE THE VIDEO
Above, Putting her head into a breaking sea.
Above and below, coming off a 5m / 16ft breaking wave
Above and below, we had pretty big breakers on this day up to 5m in height and breaking heavily, made for some impressive photographs and video, a nice shot below running flat out before a big sea,
Below, Izurdia is a fine looking pilot vessel with distinctive and graceful lines.
Her Interior is fitted out to the highest standard, white vinyl side and headlining, a gloss black laminate with teak trimming on all internal furniture, the window surrounds are in a brushed effect aluminum finish, all making for a modern, Contempery feel inside.
PORT OF BORDEAUX'S NEW INTERCEPTOR 48 PILOT BOAT WELL ON HER WAY
The 'Syndicat Professional des pilotes de la Gironde have placed an order for the our Interceptor 48 'NIB's'. This vessel is to be built to an exceptional standard with a very high specification, very similar to the Port of St Malo's and Bayonne's pilot vessels supplied before. She will be powered by a pair of Iveco 13litre engines at 520hp. She will incorporate the French industry standard NIBS fendering, which features a 300mm lightweight rubberized skin foam fender, retained in a recess in the hull and secured by multiple straps. She will incorporate our new pilot boarding ladder that facilitating safe pilot transfer and a Jason cradle MOB recovery system stored in a recess in the superstructure side. Below is the completed hull and superstructure.
ISLAND SHIPPING'S WILDCAT 50 TAKES SHAPE
Below, the completed hull for the first of Island Shipping's wind farm catamarans 'ISLAND TIGER'
Below- Forming the mould for our special bow boarding area that we have designed for when pushing up against the Windfarm structure. We are utilizing a special custom made rubber fender design, and, by taking advantage of the construction benefits of GRP, we have designed the bow in a unique corrugated form, maximizing surface area for fender attachment and eliminating fender attachment failure from side thrust.
Above, the Wildcat 16m hull has a highly efficient hull design especially suited to operation in heavy weather, as well as possessing very graceful lines.
Below her raised bridge deck superstructure under construction.
For more info on the Wildcat 50 click here
TWO INTERCEPTOR 42 PILOT BOATS ORDERED FROM PORTUGAL.
Safehaven
Marine have signed contracts to supply two of their Interceptor 42 pilot boats
to the Portuguese Ports of Averio and Figueira. The order comes after Safehaven
supplied one of their Interceptor 55 pilot boats to the
The
first vessel will be delivered in March 2010 with the second vessel following in
May.
Both
vessels will be powered by Volvo D9 engines at 425hp for an operational speed of
20kts, and will be equipped with Safehavens unique ‘Sacrificial shoulder
fender system’ which has proved highly successful in service.
Below the first vessels hull and superstructure completed
NEW PILOT BOAT FOR THE DENMARK PORT OF ROENNE
The Port of Roenne in Denmark have ordered an Interceptor 42 pilot boat After visiting us earlier in the year Hans Kumner, the Port director has commissioned an Interceptor to be build to the ports requirements, the vessel will be powered by Volvo D12 450hp engines, delivery is scheduled for September 2010.
WILDCAT 40 SURVEY VESSEL FOR THE PORT OF LA REUNION
We have been awarded the contract to supply one of
our WILDCAT 40 Catamarans to the Port of La Reunion off the coast of Africa.
This vessel will be almost identical to the survey vessel Royal Charter that we
supplied to the Port of Liverpool a few years ago. She will be especially equipped
for the
use of sophisticated multi beam sonar equipment. The deployment of the valuable
sonar head and its subsequent protection made the choice of catamaran a logical
step, as by deploying the sonar head through a moon pool in the bridge deck, at
the vessels LGG means it is fully protected between the twin hulls, and being at
the center of the craft, pitch and heel motions are minimized, maximizing the
accuracy of colleted data. The sonar head can be raised through the moon pool
hatch for fast transit speeds of 20kts.
She
is to be powered by twin Volvo D6 engines rated at 350hp. She is also to
be fitted with a HIAB crane on the aft deck.