Posted on July 26, 2021
The Association of Maryland Pilots has taken delivery of a new class of pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, Somerset, Mass., called the “Baltimore Class” after the pilots’ base of operations at the Port of Baltimore.
With a length overall of 48’6″, beam of 15.6′, and draft of 4′, the all-aluminum pilot boat features the Ray Hunt Design deep-V hull.
Main propulsion comes from twin Volvo Penta D13, EPA Tier 3-compliant diesel engines, each delivering 600 hp at 1,900 rpm, with a top speed of 30 knots. The engines turn 5-bladed Bruntons NiBrAl propellers via ZF 400-A gear boxes. The propulsion package gives the new boat a running speed of 30 knots. A Humphree interceptor trim-tab control system, with its Automatic Trim Optimization, is installed at the transom.
Ship’s service power is the responsibility of a 6 kW Northern Lights M673L3G genset.
Volvo Penta dual-lever slim line combined function electronic controls are positioned at the right side of the helm in the wheelhouse and at the aft-deck control station.
Seastar’s Optimus steering system is installed at the helm in the wheelhouse and at the aft-deck control station. Each station is fitted with an electronic helm unit and stainless-steel destroyer-type wheel. A CanTrak display is located on the wheelhouse console for system programming and rudder-angle indication.
The wheelhouse, flush-mounted to the deck amidship, features a center-line helm station, five Norsap shock-mitigating reclining seats, a bag rack, refrigerator and a 16,000 Btu reverse-cycle HVAC unit. A second 12,000 Btu HVAC unit is installed in the unfinished forecastle, which includes a Porta-Potty, toolbox and storage for safety gear.
Outside of the wheelhouse are heated, wide side decks and handrails, side and rear doors, and boarding platforms on the roof. A Harken safety rail has been installed on the sides and around the front of the wheelhouse. A control station is at the transom, along with a powered rescue system at the transom, for pilot rescue operations.
The electronics suite is made up of two Furuno TZ14 MFD 14″ radar with multi-function displays; Furuno DRS12AX UHD digital radar with Furuno XN12A/4 4′ open array radar scanner, two Furuno FA-170 AIS and 4′ Shakespeare antenna; two Furuno 4800 VHF radios and 4′ Shakespeare antennas; twin Furuno GP330B GPS/WAAS sensor; Furuno BBDS1 depth sounder; Furuno LH5000 Loudhailer; and a Richie 5″compass; and FLIR M332 gyro stabilized thermal camera.
