New Pilot Boat Ordered To Replace St George
A new purpose-built pilot boat is expected to be delivered in September 2022, set to replace the 40-year-old St George which the Ministry said is “well past its lifespan.”
The WorkBoat website said, “Bermuda’s Department of Marine and Port Services has awarded a contract to Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corp., for a new 52′ Chesapeake-class pilot boat.
“The launch will be built to Lloyd’s Register class,” the report said. “The Somerset, Mass., shipyard built a 61’ pilot/rescue vessel for the port service in 2011.
Rendering via Gladding-Hearn
“With a deep-V hull designed by Ray Hunt Design, the new all-aluminum pilot boat measures 52.11’ overall, with a 15.10’ beam and a 4.8’ draft. Powered by twin Caterpillar C-18 diesel engines, each producing 670 Bhp at 2100 rpm, the vessel’s top speed is expected to reach 22 knots.
“The engines will turn a pair of 5-bladed Brunton nibral propellers via ZF 500-1-A gear boxes. The launch will be equipped with a 9-kW Northern Lights genset.”
Bernews asked the Ministry of Transport for comment, and a spokesperson said, “The RFP for a New Pilot Boat was published in the Official Gazette on 17 March 2021. The successful bidder is Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilders in Somerset, Massachusetts.
“We expect the delivery of one new 52’ Lloyd’s class purpose-built pilot boat in September 2022. This new pilot boat will replace the 40-year-old St George, which is well past its lifespan. There are two pilot boats in the Marine and Ports fleet; St. David and St. George. “
File photo of the St. David pilot boat
So no report on how those rocks came in front of boat. And because we are overflowing with bitcoin money just keep spending with nobody held accountable,
Vote them back in for a couple more years, well done voters.
Just think how much 1.2 million and 800k, the unknown 800k couldve funded this.
sshhhh. we are supposed to have forgotten about that little COSTLY boo boo. I really would like to know the COINTRACTED COST of this new one and does it have the latest in anti reef/rock avoidance systems. gotta find where this money tree is ( oh yeah its in leagal weed. bitcoin and TA fees to come )
No indication as to cost, but it’s nice to know we have money to spend on such things
If you knew the role of this vessel you would understand that we can’t afford not to have this vessel.
What I know is that we are going to return borrowing to pay interest on our debt under the current financial controls
And the guy is still employed with marine and ports even though this was the third time he’d smashed up a gov boat