The Canaveral Pilots Association of Port Canaveral, Florida, has partnered with naval architecture firms Glosten and Ray Hunt Design on a pilot/demonstration project for the design, construction, and operation of a pilot boat that will be powered by electricity.
The boat will feature a Ray Hunt-designed hull and a Glosten battery-electric propulsion system. It will also have a diesel engine to be used in emergencies.
Once in service, it will be one of two primary boats for supporting pilotage operations in Port Canaveral.
The minimum performance criteria established by Port Canaveral included a cruising speed of 18 knots and an operating range of 24 nautical miles on battery propulsion only.
