Vessel | LaunCh & deLivery
Mustang delivers two pilot boats for
China
Welsh shipbuilder Mustang Marine Ltd has successfully delivered a further
two pilot vessels for Chinese Tianjin Tugboat and Lighter Company,
following the delivery of its first pilot boat a few years previously. The second
and third pilot boats were delivered at the end of 2009.
‘
P
ilot Boat 2’ and ‘Pilot Boat 3’ are
19.65m loa newbuilds designed
by Scotland-based naval architects
Camarc Ltd and are similar to ‘Pilot Boat 1’,
which was delivered to Tianjin in 2007.
‘Pilot Boat 1’ was a popular design with
the Chinese pilots and resulted in them
signing contracts in August 2008 for ‘Pilot
Boat 2’ and ‘Pilot Boat 3’, to be built for
the same ship operator. Both vessels were
completed around a month apart in late
2009 and sailed by their own power by
Mustang Marine staff from Pembrokeshire
to Antwerp, where they were taken onboard
heavy-lift cargo vessels for transit to China.
‘Pilot Boat 2’ was delivered on schedule and
‘Pilot Boat 3’ was delivered four months
ahead of schedule.
Upon arrival at the port of Tianjin – ‘Pilot Boat 2’ built by Mustang Marine according to Camarc design (Credit: Mustang
China’s fourth largest port – the boats Marine (Wales) Ltd).
were met by Mustang Marine staff who
conducted confirmatory trials before ‘Pilot
Boat 2’ and ‘Pilot Boat 3’ gained final section fender arrangement is fitted along Construction and Classification of Coastal
acceptance in November and December the vessel’s side. Boats 2005 - Coastal Service Restriction’.
2009 respectively. Weight control is one area where the Mustang Marine was able to take on these
Apart from minor detailing, the most designers have paid careful attention, in newbuilds thanks to the recent expansion of
significant difference between ‘Pilot Boat 1’ order to produce a robust and sea-going craft its yard. Commercial director Ian Strugnell
and her sisters is that the latter are powered fit for the demanding role of pilot transfer. In said: “The new facility means we can now
by Caterpillar C32 DITTA marine diesels view of the operational requirements, weight take on two or three major projects at one
instead of the now-discontinued Caterpillar refinement was not taken to the minimum time and work on them simultaneously –
3412Es in ‘Pilot Boat 1’. The heavy-duty limits allowed by classification rules, but before we were a bit strapped for space. The
rated C32 DITTAs drive propellers through was carefully considered to combine robust expansion is enabling us to take on more
ZF 2050 gearboxes for a speed of 22.5kts. construction with efficient operation. work which is safeguarding jobs in the short
Also in the engine room are two Caterpillar The craft were designed to be heavily used term and could lead to more employment
C2.2T gensets. in heavy weather under severe conditions, in the future.”
The fast pilot cutters feature a wheelhouse with a typical expectation that the structure Strugnell added: “We are fortunate as the
amidships and pilot boarding stations would be subjected to 1000 vessel impacts current economic climate does not appear
forward of the wheelhouse. The hull is an per annum. The vessels are also capable to be affecting our business, especially the
all-welded steel construction designed of operation in swells up to 5m significant pilot boat market, as every port has to have
for approval by the China Classification wave height and 40kts wind speed. The pilot boats of various sizes and speeds to
Society and is sub-divided into five typical duty cycle will be in the range of 2500 operate efficiently and effectively. We are
watertight compartments. The wheelhouse to 3000 hours per year. hopeful there may be more orders from
and superstructure are of an all-welded The vessels are classified by the China China and are now in a good position to
aluminium construction. A rubber ‘D’ Classification Society under its ‘Rules for The bid for more work.” SBI
18 Ship & Boat International March/April 2010
SBI_MarApr10_p18.indd 18 26/02/2010 12:05:45
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