Maritime Journal
Irish pilot boat specialist builder Safehaven Marine has launched an Interceptor 48 pilot vessel ‘Svitzer Oued Rmel’ for operations at the new TM2 Port in Tangier, Morocco.
It is the first of a two vessel contract for the global port and marine service company Svitzer. Svitzer Oued Rmel is the 34th pilot vessel and the 11th of Safehaven’s Interceptor 48 pilot vessels to enter service in ports worldwide, a fine testimony to the reputation Safehaven have established for themselves in this specialised market.
Svitzer Oued Rmel is powered by a pair of Volvo’s D13 550hp engines and ZF gearboxes providing the vessel with an operational speed of 25kts. The vessel is 15m LOA, with a 4.3m beam and 17,200kg lightship displacement. She has a seating capacity for six pilots and two crew. Shock mitigation suspension seats are fitted for all crew and pilots in the main cabin, with further seating for additional passengers in the forward cabin, which is very comfortably fitted out with a galley, a separate heads compartment, and plenty of storage space.
The pilots are well catered for with the vessel featuring a 27,000btu Dometic high capacity air conditioning unit fitted in the main cabin providing a comfortable environment, where crew and pilots benefit from excellent all round visibility and will appreciate her very low noise levels of just 73db. The pilot vessel is very heavily fendered with 150x150mm D section rubber main gunwale fendering augmented by Safehaven’s unique sacrificial shoulder fender system, ensuring pilot boardings in rough conditions are soft, with impacts well cushioned and the main fender and hull structure fully protected. Multiple diagonals along the hull, additional fendering at the vulnerable transom quarters and a lower run of fender just above the waterline further protect the vessel.
A full electronic Radar, GPS sonar and VHF package supplied by Raymarine comprising 15” and 12” displays is positioned in an ergonomically designed GRP helm console giving the helmsman excellent command of the vessel, with all displays clearly visible. The vessel is fitted with Safehaven’s tried and tested transom operated MOB recovery platform which allows an injured pilot to be quickly and safely recovered from the sea in an unconscious condition. Safety is further enhanced with Pilot boarding ladders fitted at the bow facilitating safe pilot transfers from her wide side decks and spacious foredeck incorporating an inboard Hadrian safety rail. Lifting eyes are incorporated allowing the vessel to be quickly and easily lifted from the water for maintenance.
Safehaven have by now established a reputation for building pilot boats with exceptional seakeeping abilities and able to deal with the harshest sea conditions. To this end Svitzer Oued Rmel is Self-Righting with a positive stability curve to 180 degrees and as such is capable of recovering if capsized by a large breaking wave with multiple features to facilitate this such as automatically closing ventilation inlets, extra thick glass and watertight doors.
Safehaven is currently building an Interceptor 48 pilot vessel for the Malta pilots, the operator’s third Safehaven pilot vessel, another pilot vessel for Leixoes in Portugal and the second Pilot 48 for Svitzer, due for supply in October.
Visit Safehaven Marine at Seawork International 2018 on stand PY35.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Type of vessel: Self-Righting Pilot boat
Owners: Svitzer
Port of Registry: Tangier Morocco
Builders: Safehaven Marine, Cork, Ireland
LOA: 15m
Beam: 4.4m
Draft: 1.3m
Displacement (Lightship): 17,200kg (Loaded): 19,500kg
Construction material: GRP
Engines: Volvo D13 550hp @ 1900rpm
Gearbox: ZF 360
Range: 280nm
Fuel: 2,000 litres
Water: 170 litres
Air-conditioning: 2x Dometic 27,000btu
Seating capacity: 2 Crew, 6 pilots + 4 passengers in f/wd cabin
Liferaft: RFD 12 persons
Classification: MCA
