VESSEL OF THE MONTH The all-aluminum vessel features a deep-V hull designed by Ray Hunt Design.
T
he Associated Federal Pilots in Venice, La., recently took delivery of a new Chesapeake class pilot boat from Gladding-Hear n Shipbuilding , Duclos Corporation, Somerset, Mass. Na med t he Captain Bob Moore, t he all-aluminum vessel features a deep-V hull designed by Ray Hunt Design and measures 52.6 feet overall, with a 16.8 foot beam and a 3.10 foot draft. Main propulsion power is delivered by twin Volvo Penta D-16, EPA Tier 3-certified diesel engines, supplied by Power Products, Wakefield Mass. Each producing 641 bhp at 1,800 rpm, they turn 5-bladded Bruntons NiBrAl propellers via ZF500-1-A gearboxes to give the vessel a top speed of 26 knots. A Hu mphree i nterceptor t r i m control system, w it h automatic trim
8 Marine Log // November 2021
optimization, is installed at the transom. The launch is equipped with a 9 kW Northern Lights M773LW3 genset. Kobelt 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 SS destroyer-type wheel. The wheelhouse, with a small trunk, is installed amidships on a f lush deck. With forward-leaning front windows and the helm station on center, the wheelhouse is outfitted with six Llebroc pilot seats, a bench seat behind them and built-in cabinetry. The forecastle includes a split upholstered settee/bunk, porta-potty, shelving and storage space for safety gear. The interior is cooled by two 16,000 btu reverse-cycle HVAC units. The vessel is equipped with a comprehensive suite of Furuno navigation and
communications electronics supplied by MacDougals Marine Electronics, Falmouth, Mass., and installed by Gladding-Hearn. Outside of t he wheelhouse are w ide side - de c k s a nd t wo r a i s e d b o a rd i ng platforms on t he bow. Ladders on t he sides of the wheelhouse lead to hinged boarding platforms on the roof. A control station is located near the stepped transom, along with a winch-operated rotat i ng dav it system over a recessed platform for pilot rescue operations. For more t ha n 65 yea rs, Gladd i ngHearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, has built steel and aluminum commercial vessels. Located on the Taunton River in Somerset, the family-owned and operated shipyard has built more than 430 vessels, including pilot boats, patrol vessels, tugs, passenger vessels, and more.
Photo Credit: Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding
Captain Bob Moore:
Latest Chesapeake Class Pilot Boat
