Alu Marine Unveils New Pilot Boat
For several months, the Alu Marine shipyard has been building a particularly innovative new type of pilot boat.
Developed in collaboration with the Geronimo Naval Design office, the specifications of this boat have been carefully studied to optimise performance and reliability, while minimising running costs, especially fuel consumption.
Both light and powerful, this new 12-metre craft will be capable of rapid turnarounds at a service speed of 30 knots.
Built in aluminium and fitted with a last-generation Volvo IPS Pod propulsion system, this craft will be not only extremely robust, but very economical to run and maintain.
It is a fast launch designed for pilots on the river Seine, which will enter into service in March 2012. Its mission is to embark the Baie de Seine pilots on board merchant ships sailing upstream to Rouen.
THE FIRST IPS PROPELLED WORKBOAT IN FRANCE
A first on a workboat! The launch will be fitted with an integral Volvo IPS 450 Pods system, which combines high performance, economy and manoeuvrability in all conditions.
This revolutionary system offers to date the best propeller propulsion efficiency for a vessel of this size sailing at this speed.
HIGH PERFORMANCE AND LOW CONSUMPTION
The boat design has been carefully evolved to suit the IPS system and ensure a good stability, even in the choppy seas of the Seine estuary.
With a straight bow and a fine entry planing hull, combined with the moderate V shape underwater, this launch will plane and handle the seas very efficiently.
Innovative by design, construction and equipment, this pilot boat has been developed to optimise the crew operations and working conditions while reducing running costs.
It will enable pilots to intervene without delay using a moderate quantity of fuel.
The crew includes a captain seconded by a mechanic and 4 pilots. Designed to conform to the French regulations for crafts less than 12m in length and inspected by Bureau Veritas - registered in the Category of navigation 3, this pilot boat allows for rapid intervention with a greater range of operation.
Light but robust, it is economical with a moderate fuel consumption. The last generation IPS motorisation allows for a considerable reduction of CO² emissions, which makes it environmentally friendly.
COMFORT AND EXCELLENT MANOEUVRABILITY
The boat accommodation, equipment and deck plan have been specifically designed to facilitate the transfer of personnel: handrails, modified ratlines and fenders on the whole length of the deck line.
Down below, bucket seats with air suspension offer total comfort to the crew at sea.
The user-friendly dashboard instruments provide all the information required for the navigation and on the machines. The glazed surface is the maximum allowed under the safety rules and provides the helmsman with the wide-angle visibility required to come alongside moving ships for the pilot to embark. Finally, the bridge is raised on blocks to considerably reduce noise and vibrations and ensure a good acoustic environment even when the two 330 hp motors drive the launch at 30 knots.
Apart from its high performance and low consumption, the IPS propulsion system offers an excellent manoeuvrability in all conditions. At low speed, when the joystick takes over from the usual commands, it allows for the precise positioning of the boat
alongside a pontoon, intuitively, without any special training.
ALUMINIUM, THE BEST SUITED MATERIAL FOR THIS BOAT
Aluminium is the material best suited to the construction and the operation of a workboat.
Its properties are well known: excellent retention of its mechanical properties in a marine environment for a weight which is both restrained and predictable with certitude, durability, minimum maintenance and 100% recyclable at the end of the product’s life.
It is a safe bet for the architect, the shipyard and the owner.
Finally, aluminium offers an unmatched versatility to suit the specifications of the project.
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Pilot Launch
Construction - Alu Marine
Study / Design - Geronimo Naval Design
Hull length - 11,96 m / 39’24’’
LOA - 12,37 m / 40’58’’
Overall beam, including fenders - 4,16 m / 13’65’’
Draught below keel - 0,55 m / 1’80’’
Draught including propulsion - 1,00 m / 3’28’’
Engines - 2 x Volvo D6 (2 x 330 hp)
Propulsion - Volvo IPS 450
Maximum speed - 34 knots
Running speed - 30 knots
Fuel consumption at 30 knots - 2 x 53 litres / hour
Range at 30 knots - 7 hours, 210 miles
Fuel capacity - 2 x 390 litres
Crew - 6
Category of navigation - 3
Conformity - Division 236/222
Geronimo Naval Design is a naval architecture office with a long experience of designing workboats such as «crewboats», the fast launches used by offshore petrol companies for the transfer of staff and goods between platforms and shore based facilities.
The firm works in close partnership with Alu Marine on many commercial projects. Their combined expertise and professionalism enable them to satisfy the most demanding requirements of their clients.
The previous experience acquired over the last 15 years on this type of 30 knots launch, is clearly evident in this new craft.