Seattle, Washington-based boatbuilder Snow and Company has delivered a new aluminium pilot boat to the Savannah Pilots Association of Georgia.
Designed by UK-based naval architecture firm Camarc, the single-chine, flush-deck Savannah has a length of 64 feet (19.5 metres), a beam of 19.5 feet (5.9 metres), a full load draught of 3.63 feet (1.1 metres), a displacement of 51 tons (46.2 tonnes), and seating for two crewmembers and seven pilots. Two MTU 12V2000M86 engines drive Hamilton HTX52 waterjets via ZF 3055 gearboxes to propel the boat to speeds of up to 35 knots. The engines are fed by fuel tanks with a total capacity of 1,200 gallons (4,540 litres).
The propulsion arrangement also includes Geislinger carbon fibre driveshafts and Silenco couplings. HamiltonJet's AVX electronic control system is also fitted to allow for more precise manoeuvres using the waterjets.
The self-righting boat also has MOB recovery equipment including a rescue davit. Aircraft tyre fendering is available for improved safety when manoeuvring alongside other vessels.
Also available are a galley and accommodation spaces for pilots. Onboard seating was provided by Beurteaux and Stidd while the electronics were supplied as part of a complete package from Mackay Marine with electrical power drawn from two Phasor 30kW generators.
Savannah is based out of its namesake port and will operate in support of ships transiting more than 25 miles (40 kilometres) along the Savannah River between the port and the entrance to the Atlantic Ocean. The newbuild is the third Camarc-designed pilot boat to be handed over to the same operator.
A second boat from the same series is under construction and scheduled for delivery to the Savannah Pilots in the fourth quarter of 2022. Both vessels were built to have operational service lives of more than 20 years.
| Savannah | |
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Type of vessel: | Pilot boat |
| Port of registry: | Savannah, Georgia, USA |
| Flag: | USA |
| Operator: | Savannah Pilots Association, Georgia, USA |
| Designer: | Camarc Design, UK |
| Builder: | Snow and Company, USA |
| Hull construction material: | Aluminium |
| Superstructure construction material: | Aluminium |
| Deck construction material: | Aluminium |
| Length overall: | 64 feet (19.5 metres) |
| Beam: | 19.5 feet (5.9 metres) |
| Draught: | 3.63 feet (1.1 metres) |
| Displacement: | 51 tons (46.2 tonnes) |
| Main engines: | 2 x MTU 12V2000M86 |
| Gearboxes: | 2 x ZF 3055 |
| Propulsion: | 2 x HamiltonJet HTX52 |
| Generators: | 2 x Phasor, each 30 kW |
| Steering system: | HamiltonJet AVX |
| Maximum speed: | 35 knots |
| Electronics supplied by: | Mackay Marine |
| Seating: | Beurteaux; Stidd |
| Safety equipment: | Rescue davit |
| Accommodation: | Galley |
| Crew: | 2 |
| Passengers: | 7 |
| Operational area: | Savannah River, USA |
